Prosecute Corrupt Ministers…Organized Labour Tells Mahama

THE TRADES Union Congress (TUC) has expressed disgust at the high rate of corruption in public offices and has consequently charged President Mahama to arrest and prosecute corrupt members of his administration to help fight the canker.

The demand formed part of an eight point petition that Organized Labour issued to the President after hundreds of agitated workers marched through the streets of Kumasi to register their displeasure at the appalling manner in which the NDC administration is managing the affairs of the country.

Naomi Dedei Otu, Second Vice Chairman, TUC Ghana, bemoaned the fact that corruption in public offices had reached an unprecedented height under the current NDC administration.

He noted that it was time that the President prosecuted corrupt officials to help protect the public purse.

She said workers in the region decided to lay down their tools and hit the streets in large numbers on the day, ostensibly, to kick against the high cost of living, the free fall of the cedi, frequent hikes in the prices of utility services, among other poor policies of government which have deepened the plight of the citizenry.

The petition, which was handed over to Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Joseph Yammin, also asked government to quickly implement effective policies to better the economy so that the people would be saved from their current ordeal.

Dedei Otu emphatically demanded that measures be put in place to salvage the  cedi, end the frequent hikes in petroleum prices and other essential commodities.

She also demanded that TOR should be made to operate at its full capacity.

Dedei Otu further demanded that petrol, electricity and water tariffs be reviewed downward.

She also called on the President to revamp the railway sector, improve workers' pension scheme and stamp out corruption in high offices.

Response Joseph Yammin, Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, who received the petition, pledged it would be forwarded to the President in

Accra so that the concerns of the petitioners would be duly addressed to ensure the peace and progress of the country.

He commended the workers for registering their protest through a peaceful demonstration. He applauded the police in the region, notably, DCOP Kofi Boakye, for helping to make the protest a peaceful one. March

The angry workers, wearing red and black attire to display their fury, converged at the Center for National Culture in Kumasi at 6 am and marched through the principal streets of the city to openly send a strong signal that they were not happy about the performance of government.

The protesters, numbering thousands, caused huge vehicular traffic at places like Pampaso, Kejetia, Adum, Prempeh II Street, Post Office, High Court, KMA, Golden Tulip Area and other areas in the city as they sang and chanted.

Placards
Most of the protesters held placards with inscriptions such as 'Mahama is Corrupt'; 'Mahama step down'; 'Mahama is a thief'; 'Workers are dying'; 'Ghana is sinking'; and 'Mahama leave and free Ghana from hardship', among other unprintable writings.

Most of the protesters sang Daddy Lumba's 'Yentie Obia' whilst others chanted 'Kwasiabi Nti Ghana is falling deep into a ditch.' The demeanour of the protesters gave a clear indication that they were peeved about government's performance so far.

The Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kofi Boakye, provided adequate security for the protestors as they marched through the streets of the city.

Confusion Initially, there was a slight confusion with regard to the route the protesters should take. However, after consultations with the police, the protesters finally agreed and followed the original route which had been earmarked for the march.

Police Assessment DCOP Kofi Boakye, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, described the march as peaceful although he admitted that there were some challenges, especially when the protesters tried to change the approved routes during the march.

From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi