ECG unions to stage nationwide protest over proposed private sector participation

The protest, which will take place across ECG’s operational regions, will culminate in the presentation of a petition to President John Dramani Mahama.

In a directive signed by the national chairpersons of the two unions, Christopher Apawu of the SSU and Lucky Larry Agboka of the JSU, divisional and branch leaders were instructed to mobilise members for the exercise.

The unions said the petition would be presented to regional ministers in the various operational areas for onward transmission to the President.

The demonstration will begin at 8:00am and end at 4:00pm.

In Accra, participating workers are expected to converge at the forecourt of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), while those in Kumasi will assemble at the ECG Regional Office at the Airport Roundabout.

Workers in the other regions will gather at their respective ECG regional offices. The specific routes for the marches will be communicated later.

Following the exercise, demonstrators will return to their respective assembly points for a briefing before dispersing.

The planned protest is the latest phase of industrial action announced by the unions earlier this month in opposition to the proposed PSP arrangement.

The unions also directed members to continue wearing red armbands, which formed part of the first phase of their protest, until the next phase of action is announced.

The Public Utility Workers Union (PUWU), which is convening the demonstration, will lead the nationwide exercise.

According to the unions, PUWU has formally notified the Inspector General of Police of the planned demonstration in line with Section 1(2) of the Public Order Act, 1994 (Act 491).

National and regional committees will also be formed to coordinate the protest, with additional information to be communicated through the respective committees.