Be sensitive to Mills' memory; NDC Youth in UK tell TUC

The UK/Ireland youth wing of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it is insensitive for organised labour to call a strike on July 24, the day President John Atta Mills died two years ago.

The group says it is disappointed that the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and other labour groups chose this day when 'the hearts of Ghanaians were severely struck by the news of the death of our dear President John Evans Attah Mills.'

It says the strike must be postponed to a more suitable date.

Read below the full statement
24th July 2012 was the day the hearts of Ghanaians were severely struck by the news of the death of our dear President John Evans Attah Mills. To this day, many Ghanaians still celebrate him for what he stood for: peace, love, patriotism, consensus building politics and many more. Thursday 24th July, 2014 will be the 2nd anniversary of his passing.

We wish therefore to strongly register our disappointment at the decision of the Trade Union Congress to engage in a nationwide strike on this date. Without looking into the merits of the strike itself we believe that engaging in a nationwide strike action on that date will send the wrong signal to the general public who may otherwise have goodwill towards the TUC.

If there is any late Ghanaian statesman in this fourth republic whose memory rallies the whole country together, it is that of President Mills. If there is any date that has the potential to disarm rancour and division in the country, it is the date of the anniversary of Professor Mills' death.

To decide to strike on such a date will clearly indicate an intention to deny a rallying centre for the people of Ghana.

We wish therefore to appeal to the heart of the TUC's leadership to cancel or defer their planned strike, whiles they engage with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations for an amicable outcome for their grievances. We are counting on their goodwill.

God bless Our homeland Ghana
 
Submitted by
Kofi Adoli,
Organiser,
NDC UK/Ireland Youth.
 
Posted by MAD