By Akosua Frema Frempong
The Public Services Workers’ Union PSWU of the TUC, has called on the Government to exempt pension funds from the Debt Exchange Programme measures announced by the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori Atta.
Government should also immediately initiate the process for proper engagement with all relevant stakeholders including labour to build national consensus on how to deal with the country’s economic crisis.
The General Secretary of the Public Services Workers’ Union, Benard Adjei made the call at the opening of the Fourth Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the National Commission for Civic Education Division of the PSWU, in Kumasi.
The Conference is being held under the theme: “Sustaining Ghana’s democracy in a Post-COVID Recovery and Economic Crisis Era: The Role of the Civic Educator”.
It will offer delegates the opportunity to take stock of the Division’s activities, including audited accounts, amend the bye-laws of the Division and elect Divisional Officers to serve for the next four years.
Addressing the delegates, the General Secretary of the PSWU, Benard Adjei, the PSWU is doing all it can with Management to secure the Civic Education Field Allowance for all NCCE staff.
He urged them to brace themselves up for their next round of negotiations to make sure that staff of the Commission are treated fairly in their demands for better conditions of service.
Mr. Adjei also touched on the PSWU’s four-year Strategic Plan.
”Am happy to inform you that the PSWU is successfully implementing a four-year Strategic Plan 2020-2023, with eight thematic areas which include social protection and membership welfare”.
”Out of the thematic area of Social Protection and membership Welfare, the PSWU is responding to the needs of members by establishing the PSWU Fund and PSWU Mutual Health Insurance Scheme”, he said.
The objective of the two schemes is to provide for the financial and health needs of members.
Mr. Adjei urged the Government to adequately fund the NCCE to effectively execute its Constitutional mandate.
“I therefore add my voice to the numerous calls on the Government to adequately fund the NCCE so that it can function effectively and contribute its quota to sustaining Ghana’s democracy. Further, I call upon the Government to reconsider its decision to freeze public Sector employment by providing key institutions such as the NCCE and other public Sector institutions the mandate to at least replace staff who exit from the Commission”, he noted.
Mr. Adjei called on Government to reconsider its decision to freeze Public Sector employment by providing Public Institutions such as the NCCE the mandate to at least replace staff who retire from Public Service or who pass away during active Public Service.
The Divisional Chairman, Justice Awittor reminded members of the Union to maintain the formidable force.
