Organised Labour Suspends Strike Over SSNIT Share Sale
Organised Labour has announced the suspension of its strike, which commenced today, Monday, July 15, in protest against the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) move to offload 60% of its shares in four hotels to Rock City Hotel, a private entity owned by Food and Agriculture Minister, Bryan Acheampong.
The decision to suspend the strike was made public during a news conference held by Dr. Yaw Baah, Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), following an emergency meeting.
Following the suspension of the strike by the Organised Labour, President of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr. Frank Serebour in a statement on Monday, has urged members of the association to resume their duties.
“NEC in light of this decision, suspends with immediate effect, the earlier issued roadmap for industrial action and directs that all members return to post. NEC is grateful to members for your support,” read parts of the statement.
Meanwhile, the Organised Labour is demanding a complete overhaul of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) board and the immediate removal of its top management team.
This call comes in the wake of a controversial decision to sell 60% of SSNIT’s shares in four hotels to Rock City Hotel, a private entity owned by a state minister.
Despite the eventual termination of the sale by SSNIT following sustained protests, Organised Labour remains dissatisfied with the current board and management, citing their involvement in the contentious deal as indicative of significant failings in decision-making and accountability.
Kenneth Koomson, Deputy Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour, has emphasized that the SSNIT leadership had compromised on their duty to ensure social security for the population.
He stated, “The way by which the hotels were being sold was flawed and if you look at the content of the letter, we said we were not going to call off the strike until SSNIT board is dissolved.”
Mr Koomson also highlighted the crucial role of Ghanaian workers in the nation’s history, stating, “Ghana’s independence wouldn’t have been possible without the involvement of workers and politicians should know that. The unity displayed on July 12 is just the tip of the iceberg, and going forward, organised labour is going to ensure that the ordinary Ghanaian is well taken care of.”
