News
Mahama’s comment to labour unions shows he is a man of truth – Segbefia
Former President John Dramani Mahama was being truthful when he told labour unions that the finances of the country have been destroyed by the current Akufo-Addo administration, former Minister of Health Alex Segbefia, has said.
Mr Segebfia indicated Mr Mahama could have simply heeded the demand of labour to increase their condition of service if he is elected into office in the December 7 elections but he did not give the promise knowing how the economy has been damaged by the current administration.
“[John Mahama] is a man of truth and a true patriot. I was at the event and worker groups made the request. The easiest thing that could have been said was ‘We will give it to you ‘ but that would have been popularism but he didn’t say that. He said let us be cautious, what I am going to inherit and what we are in now will not give me the laxity to just say that you will get what you want,” he said on the Big Issue in TV3 Tuesday, January 16.
Mr Mahama told the unions that he was restraining himself from making promises because the country’s coffers had been depleted.
Speaking at a ‘Campus Connect’ event in Hohoe, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer stated that Ghana is broke at the moment.
“This country is broke, and, so, we will beg you that when we come into office, give us a bit of a honeymoon. Let’s put things in place so that we bring the economy back onto its feet,”he said.
“And I will plead with the teacher union: GNAT, NAGRAT, UTAG, and TEWU and all of them; I know all of you are clamouring for allowances.
“Let me caution you that in 2025 when we take over, we will show you the books and the finances of this country, and when we have done that, we can accede to your demands again, and that’s why I’m being very measured in the promises that I make because we all know the crisis in which this country has been plunged,” he further indicated.
Meanwhile, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has told Mr Mahama that they will ensure that whoever becomes president on January 7 2025 after the December 7 2024 general elections, meets the demands of workers.
TUC says that workers have rights under the laws of Ghana and those rights must be respected.
Speaking in an interview with TV3’s Daniel Opoku on Tuesday, January 16, Deputy General Secretary of the TUC, Joshua Ansah, said “Let me state that in 2025, whoever becomes president of this very country must be ready to meet workers and ensure that workers’ demands are met without any questions.
“Workers in this country, for 66 years after independence, have suffered and sacrificed a lot and we think that anybody who wants to become the president must be ready to ensure that labor rights are not dealt with with a child’s gloves, we are going to demand what is our right or what is good for us.”
Source: 3news.com
News
The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra to embark on Environmental Prayer Walk Against Galamsey
The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra in collaboration with the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious – Ghana (CMSR-GH), is organizing an Environmental Prayer Walk Against Galamsey on Friday, October 11, 2024, at 10am.
The walk will start from the Cathedral and end at Christ the King Parish, Cantonment.
According to a statement signed by Metropolitan Archbishop, Most.Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, this initiative reflects our civil, communal and religious commitment to our country and its ecosystem which is being destroyed.
In a statement issued, the church noted that “We shall engage in a Peaceful Prayer Walk, praying the Rosary which is our weapon against any adversaries. We shall congregate at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka, to pray, go through the principal streets and end with Holy Mass at Christ the King Grotto, Cantonment, We shall present a petition to the Presidency at the Jubilee House.”
He asked all Priests to read this letter and announce this Prayer Walk in all Churches in the Archdiocese on Sunday, October 06, 2024, adding that Each Parish Priest or Priest-in-Charge is expected to bus his parishioners and support this event with bottles of water.
“I also ask the Knights of St.John International and Ladies Auxiliary, and the Knights and Ladles of Marshall to be present in their uniform and assist in coordination and maintenance of order,” the statement added.
“All Priests, Religious and Lay Faithful are expected to be present to show their commitment to our Country and its environment. May our Blessed Lady, who we beech in earnest prayer in this walk, intercede for our beloved country Ghana,” the statement concluded.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
Democracy Hub: Ama Governor, eight other protesters granted GH₵70k bail each
Ama Governor and eight other Democracy Hub protesters have been granted bail, each set at GH₵70, 000 with two sureties.
As part of the bail conditions, the accused must report to the police once a week and deposit their Ghana cards at the court registry.
This decision follows an appeal against an earlier ruling by the circuit court, which denied bail to the nine individuals.
They are part of a group of 53 people charged with unlawful assembly, unlawful damage, assaulting a public officer, and offensive conduct conducive to breaching the peace.
These charges stem from their alleged involvement in disturbances during a protest against illegal mining (galamsey).
Despite opposition from the state, the court granted the bail application submitted by the defense lawyers. The other eight individuals granted bail include Emmanuel Gyan, Emmanuel Kwabena Addo, Ziblim Yakubu, Oheneba Prempeh, Philip Owusu Kobina, Desmond Akisbik, Von Coffie, and Sadik Yakubu.
Their release comes after protests demanding the release of the detained protesters erupted in Ghana and the UK. In Ghana, activists staged a three-day protest chanting slogans and holding placards that read “Free the Protesters” and “Justice for Democracy.”
The demonstrators emphasised the importance of the right to peaceful assembly and urged the government to respect citizens’ voices.
Simultaneously, supporters gathered outside the Ghana High Commission in the UK expressing solidarity with the protesters in Ghana and calling for the immediate release of all individuals arrested during the demonstrations.
Many attendees waved Ghanaian flags and carried signs bearing messages of support, drawing attention to the ongoing struggle for democratic rights in Ghana.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
