GAWU organizes training workshop for members

Accra, July 9, GNA - Management of the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) of Trade Union Congress, has organized a workshop for representatives of its membership from the district and regional levels to upgrade their knowledge in keeping the union strong.

The workshop held on Monday in Accra was to provide the requisite tool for participants to establish the various structures in the National Executive Council and educate members on the importance of organizing and recruiting.

The workshop is under the theme “Building Membership and Effective Communication for a Sustainable Agricultural Development”.

Mr Kingsley Ofei Nkansah, General Secretary of GAWU, said there was the need for members to be active in union affairs to be abreast and get involved in the activities of the union.

Mr Nkansah said the training programme would build the culture and capacity of participants both at the district and regional levels.

He said the workshop would influence economic and social policies to create economic wealth in the country.

Mr Nkansah noted that GAWU would continue to organize training programs for its members to improve their skills and meet global challenges.

He said recruiting members as union members and not keeping them informed of union activities was counter-productive since an informed member is often an active member.

Mr Nkansah appealed to participants to be careful and not allow politicians to use them to cause violence before, during and after the impending December polls.

Mr Andrews Addoquaye Tagoe, Head of Programmes at GAWU, said there was the need for participants to recruit new members into the union to be kept informed of union affairs and remain strong.

Mr Tagoe said recruiting members into the union would create a platform for dialogue and make members take an active part in union activities.

He said some of the methods used by trade unions to keep members active are by organizing regular meetings, study circles, social gatherings and drama groups.

Mr Tagoe said in organizing such meetings, it should not be a one way process; instead the local union activist must give members the opportunity and time to ask questions and take part in decision making.

GNA