Police Officers Join TUC Demo

The organised Labour demonstration in the Eastern Region yesterday received a massive boost when personnel of the Ghana Police Service joined the demonstrators on the dancing floor with scintillating brass band music to register their displeasure over increases in taxes, as well as hikes in utility and petroleum prices.

The protest recorded very high turnout which analysts believe is the biggest demonstration so far in the Eastern Region.

The Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Angwubutoge Awuni, supported the protest with the Police band to boost the morale of Organized Labour. The police commander earlier stated that although the Police share the concerns of workers, they cannot join them on the streets to protest.

“I will urge you to impress upon your people to do what will not drag us into confrontation.” He continued: “...I wouldn't like our action to destroy the beauty of what you are doing, we are all workers, let me be very frank with you, if it goes well it goes well for me, but I cannot go out there and demonstrate.” He told the media.

While the police band and members of the Coalition of Concerned Teachers were boosting the demonstration with good songs and dancing, the other security personnel were providing professional policing to the well organized demonstrators.

Workers across the country yesterday demonstrated over government's refusal to withdraw the newly introduced Energy Sector Levy.

The number of demonstrators grew as traders, drivers, tailors and other citizens on the street joined the demonstration to the Regional Minister's office to present a petition which was received on his behalf by the Regional Coordinating Director, Mr. Rudolph Sambo.

The Eastern Regional Chairperson of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Mrs Phillis Agyemang appealed to government to consider the political and social implications of implementing International Monetary Fund (IMF) measures.

“We will like to draw your attention to the social and political implications of such actions that are related to the realities facing most Ghanaians. IMF policies have never delivered prosperity to any country anywhere in the world.” She stated.

Government has, meanwhile argued that the recent increment in utility tariffs and and taxes on petroleum products were meant to fix permanently the energy crises.

In Accra, Gina Korblah and Courage Ababio report that thousands of Ghanaian workers hit the streets to demonstrate against increases in utility tariffs and petroleum prices.

The protest which began at the Obra Spot at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle and ended at the Independence Square had many people clad in red and holding placards with various inscriptions displaying their displeasure about some of the policies of government. Some of the inscriptions read 'Oh Mahama why,' 'We are suffering' and 'The taxes are too much'.

Speaking to the workers, General Secretary of the TUC, Mr. Kofi Asamoah said in December 2015, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission announced a 59.2 percent increase in electricity tariff and 67.2 percent in water tariff and attempts by Organised Labour groups to make government rescind its decision proved futile.

He said since Christmas, government has announced further increases in prices of petroleum products after passing the Energy Sector Levies Act.

He said the Working Group set up by the President's office to work out an amicable solution failed to produce satisfactory results and the message Organised Labour is getting from their participants is that government is adamant.

Mr Asamoah said they are aware of the stick, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), is holding over the head of government following the Extended Credit Facility.

“The IMF might have convinced government to implement these measures but we would like to draw their attention to the social and political implications of such actions.”

In an interview with the DAILY HERITAGE, the General Secretary of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union, Mr. Solomon Kotei said anytime there is a demonstration it gives the demonstrators the opportunity to tell their stories to government about their economic conditions.

The Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu received their petition on behalf of the President, but condemned their action, stating that they should have sat down with government to deliberate on the way forward.