By Kingsley Nana Buadu
Members of the Local Government Service Workers Union of TUC have been reminded of their responsibility to remain neutral as the nation prepares for the upcoming general elections.
At the 12th quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the union, the General Secretary of the Union, Brother Godfred Nyarko Okyere, explained that their neutrality would not only confirm their professionalism but would also deepen the trust from the general public and save the service.
The three-day, conference is under the theme “Transforming Local Government; The Role of Workers in Driving Sustainable Development”.
Hundreds of delegates across the country are taking part in the conference with solidarity from other unions.
The conference is taking stock of the activities of the union, successes and challenges and also navigate the way forward.
Some of the pertinent issues of concern being deliberated on include the decline in membership, communication gaps, and the need to leverage AI to eliminate or reduce the tendencies of the bureaucratic system within the service and also elect new leaders to spearhead the affairs of the union.
The Chairman of the union bro. Moses Awari Karo, was concern about the way the union is losing it membership to other unions, specifically CLOGSAG.
He described the situation as unacceptable and encouraged the members to be united and steadfast against all odds.
The Secretary General of TUC-Ghana, Dr. Yaw Baah, noted that the challenges of the workers union would best be addressed properly if the leaders adopt a transformative approach to dealing with their concerns.
He noted that unions all over the world thrive on membership and unity and urged the leadership to adopt proactive ways and innovations to make the union attractive to others and beneficial to members.
The out-going general secretary of the Local Government Service Workers Union, Brother Godfred Nyarko Okyere, admonished the workers to strive to stay away from party politics as civil servant and remain neutral as Ghana is left with about 4 months to go for it general election.
Being neutral, he explains does not mean not voting in the elections but being careful not to be involved in partisan activities both in the office and at work.
The conference later elected new executives to spearhead the affairs of the union. The seven (7) member executive body is chaired by Bro. Moses A. Awarikaro with bro. Christopher Abokah as the General Secretary.
Others are Bismark Von-Golloh, first vice chairman, Virceta Owusu Ayim, second Vice Chairman and Kitson Yakubu, Deputy general secretary.
The rest are Bashar Mohammed, First Trustee and Abdil Moro Mumuni Wandaogou, Second Trustee
The LGSWU National Women Executive Members are Chairperson – Getrude Apelegiba Abebleh, Vice Chairperson – Clare Kuntadaa, Secretary – Ophilia Nkansah and Organiser – Jemima Boateng.
For the LGSWU Youth executives, the members are Chairperson – Rabiatu Adam Bugri, 1st Vice Chairman – Eugene Adu, 2nd Vice Chairperson – Dorcas Dogbeda Sallah, Secretary – Rebecca Annan, Assistant Secretary – Yussif Abubari Sadic and Organiser – Alabani Muniru.
