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02.05.2012 Politics

Political parties congratulate workers

By Daily Graphic
Johnson Asiedu Nketia - NDC General SecretaryJohnson Asiedu Nketia - NDC General Secretary
02.05.2012 LISTEN

Three political parties have extended gratitude to Ghanaian workers, both in the formal and informal sectors, for their hard work and patriotic contribution towards Ghana's development over the years.

Saluting the workers on the occasion of May Day, a day set aside to celebrate workers worldwide, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Progressive People's Party (PPP) in various statements reminded Ghanaian workers that it was only by hard work that Ghana could be developed.

In a statement signed by the NPP flag-bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the party said this year's celebration comes at a time when Ghana was preparing to go to the polls.

The party extended its gratitude to all Ghanaian workers, both in the formal and informal sectors, for their hard work and patriotic contribution towards Ghana's development over the years.

Among the challenges facing the society today, the party noted, were the lack of jobs for large segments of the people, high cost of living, high cost of doing business, high cost of education, high cost of accommodation and lack of access to healthcare,

According to the party, these were some of the issues that must engage the attention of the Ghanaian people.

“Let us ensure that this election is primarily a competition of ideas and solutions to the problems facing our people. Let the results of this election respond to the aspirations of the youth of Ghana,” it stated.

The NPP, the statement added, was committed to providing a competent, progressive leadership that would bring about the transformation of the national economy, driven by Ghanaians for the good of Ghanaians. It is through rapid industrialisation and value-addition that our economy can create the needed pool of decent jobs with decent pay across Ghana to enhance the dignity of Ghanaian labour.

The NPP is determined to forge a partnership with working people and the private sector to achieve this goal so that the concerns of labour for decent work, i.e. good jobs with good pay, strong health and safety regulations, could be satisfactorily addressed.

For us in the NPP, the security and unity of our country were crucial and appealed to Ghanaians to say and do things that would keep politics healthy, clean, and constructive.

Maintaining law and order was key and we must all encourage those tasked to do so to do it professionally without fear or favour, it added.

The statement also indicated that the NPP was committed to maintaining a safe and peaceful environment necessary for the progressive programmes and policies that we have for the people of Ghana. The triumph of the rule of law is what will fortify our prospects of building a prosperous, fair and just Ghanaian society.

Our message on Workers' Day to the anxious Ghanaian workforce is this: stay faithful to the Ghanaian enterprise. There is a brighter future ahead of you. The NPP is resolute in its commitment to building a society of aspirations and opportunities for the Ghanaian people, it added.

The National Democratic Congress on its part extended its warmest felicitations and congratulation to Ghanaian workers on the occasion of May Day.

“We join all Ghanaians and the world over to commend you for your hard work towards the socioeconomic and political development, even in the face of challenges confronting your efforts.”

A statement signed by the party's General Secretary, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, stated that the NDC believed that “your dedication, selflessness and commitment to work has influenced the country's productivity and sustained the serene labour environment prevailing in the country.”

The party saluted Ghanaian workers on the occasion of workers day, saying, “the NDC, as a Social Democratic party, shares in the aspirations of the Ghanaian worker. It is the resolve of the NDC to see to the qualitative improvement of all workers of this country.”

Invariably, the party noted that the efforts and sacrifices of the Trade Unions have been recognised by the NDC as it seeks to build a better Ghana.

We wish to remind the workers of the bond of friendship between labour and progressive forces such as the NDC. We the NDC shall continue to stand for workers rights, unlike the ideological foes of the working class who at a time in the nation's history tried to disband Trade Unionism in this country.

As allies, the NDC believes in collaboration, fair wages and the respect for workers' human rights and dignity.

We urge all Ghanaians to use the occasion to reflect on our commitment and contribution to the course of labour and its ramifications on the country's development, it pointed out.

The Progressive People's Party on its part wished all workers a happy, restful May Day.

“We know that the going has been tough, the working conditions rough and the reward not what is desired. But as we all have ourselves and our families to take care of we need to work. Many have worked hard. Many of our employers have also kept faith with us,” it stated.

In a statement signed by the National Secretary of the PPP, Mr Kofi Asamoah Siaw, it stated that “as the nation's gross domestic product is reported to have grown significantly, the credit must go to the Ghanaian worker. Even as more and more infrastructure projects are awarded to foreign contractors, it is still the ordinary Ghanaian who provides the hard labour. To the ordinary Ghanaian worker, we say, well done!”

According to the statement, the party was aware that despite the protestations of some politicians, there was a huge army of unemployed Ghanaians among whom are unemployed graduates from our tertiary institutions.

It further stated that the PPP was aware that over 1.5 million students failed their BECE examinations over the past ten years and that majority of them have joined the class of unemployed people.

It said that they did not know the joy and satisfaction that comes from profiting from the sweat of your labour.

“We wish to respectfully ask, “Where are the jobs?” The current NDC administration led by President Mills has on a number of occasions reported the creation of over 1 million jobs in the country. We are pleased to inform all Ghanaians that the PPP is committed to facilitating the creation of well-paying and meaningful jobs in our own country. It is the only way that we can assure ourselves of a peaceful, stable and prosperous country.

We will do this through incorruptible leadership, using the best people we have as a nation and committing the purchasing power of the state to create a market for our private sector,” the party pointed out.

According to the party, Ghanaians had a choice in this election, saying that, “The best alternative to what we have experienced in this Fourth Republic is the Progressive People's Party and our Flag-bearer Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom.”

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