Trade Unions must participate in Peer Review Mechanism

Accra, Sept. 4, GNA - Union Networking International (UNI-Africa) on Saturday urged Trades Unions to be fully involved in the African Peer Review Mechanism to ensure that the problem of good governance, poverty reduction and the fight against corruption were tackled from all angles.

Mr Napoleon Kpoh, President of UNI-Africa, speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra after his return from the 5th UNI-Africa Executive Committee Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, said the committee demanded that, the African Union's business should be carried out with the total involvement and in partnership with the working people and their trade unions on the Continent.

"For the economic policies of the African Union to succeed, there is the need to win the commitment of the unions and their involvement in consensus building on policies.

"African Leaders must demonstrate the political will and courage, by putting away the colonial leanings and influence in their decision-making, and instead, place the interest of the Continent and its people first in every political decision they make and in any economic and social policies they formulate."

Mr Kpoh, who is also the General Secretary of Ghana's Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU), said the people of Africa "believe there are more than enough human, material and natural resources on the Continent to transform the economies of the states and raise the standard of living and improve the social well-being of the African people."

He said UNI-Africa demanded collective commitment and action from Political Leaders on the Continent.

The Union also said it has a duty to help in fighting the HIV/AIDS, which posed a threat to annihilate the economically active age group of the Continent.

Mr Kpoh said the meeting, therefore, urged policy makers to stop the feet dragging attitude and take urgent practical action to provide drugs and treatment to those infected with the pandemic.