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Manage current economic hardship as gov’t comes to support …Henry Quartey urges workers
Mr Henry Quartey (middle) with the award winners
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Henry Quartey, at this year’s May Day called workers, stakeholders to manage the current economic situation as the government was poised to make life better for the people of this nation.
“Even though Workers are among the lowest paid wage earners in the continent, they should avoid speculations that the government wants to touch workers’ pension” he added.
In a speech read by Freda Frimpong, the Regional Secretary of Trade Union Congress, on behalf the General Secretary of the Labour Union Dr Anthony Yaw Buah urged government to review the Single Spine Pay Policy because workers were receiving lowest salaries in the public sector even though they were providing all the essential services to the people of Ghana.
The TUC stressed the urgency in completing the review of national laws to protect jobs and income.
She expressed concern that many workers were losing their jobs because “employers are abusing their right to hire and fire workers, others are also taking advantage of weakness in the labour law and replacing permanent employment contracts with fixed- term contracts”.
“We will no longer accept a situation where Article 71 office holders are awarded huge pay increases with fat allowances while some workers on the Single Spine Salary Structure continue to receive less than Gh 600 per month” she lamented.
The Greater Accra Regional Secretary of Trade Union Congress appealed to government to protect their pension funds from the Domestic exchange programme and also consider establishing one strong institution to manage the second-tier schemes.
As part of the celebration 19 workers from the various labour unions in Accra and Tema were honoured with citations for their distinguish services.
The workers, who sat in the various stands designated for them, could not hold back their joy and excitement as they sang popular “Jama” tunes.
Some inscriptions on the placards were ; “we need decent jobs”, “unemployed youth is a security threat”, “PBC needs urgent help”, “we need money”.
The rest are support “agricultural challenge”, “Do not mess with the union”, “galamsey is a threat to GWCL”.
Meanwhile the National May Day Parade was held in the Upper East Region and was chaired by the president of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo -Addo.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
News
GBBF assistant treasurer, Aurora Commodore-Toppar eyes GOC Treasure slot at Elective Congress on Saturday
The Assistant treasurer of the Ghana Basketball Federation (GBBF), Madam Aurora Commodore-Toppar, has set her sights on becoming the next assistant treasurer of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) at the upcoming Elective Congress on Saturday.
The daughter of the former Chief Executive Officer of Accra Hearts of Oak, Mr. Emmanuel Martey Commodore-Mensah, will be vying for the position against Bernard Quartey of the Ghana Boxing Federation and Edward Patrick Nii Lante Banerman of the Handball Association of Ghana.
Having had her nomination approved by the GOC’s Electoral Commission, the well-seasoned banker, with over 15 years of rich working experience, believes she is well-suited and positioned to help structure the finances of this esteemed organisation.
In a chat with Spectator Sports, the captain of the bronze-winning 2024 University of Ghana basketball team at the 11th African University Games in Zaire, Nigeria, revealed her commitment to effective and accurate financial management, growth, and development of all associated sports federations.
She said, “I am committed to the growth of the GOC, and I want to offer my financial knowledge to aid in ensuring that the GOC operates with the highest standards of financial governance and set-up.”
According to her, the mission is to help promote the GOC’s agenda widely, and having served for over two decades in sports—especially basketball—in various capacities and roles, she believes this experience will help protect the GOC’s finances.
“If elected as assistant treasurer, I will do my utmost, together with the treasurer, to manage the GOC’s finances, including accounting and financial reporting among others,” she added.
According to her, “Accurate financial record-keeping has been a problem across the board; I will help eradicate this issue.”
Aurora Commodore-Toppar stands for transparency, hard work, and an inclusive work culture, she further added.
The former Aburi Girls’ Secondary School basketball team captain has played pivotal roles in improving sports in the country—especially basketball—including being a member of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 2023 Africa Games, an LOC member for the recently concluded Hoop Rave SHS competition, a project lead for FIBA’s “Her World, Her Rules” initiative, chair for the 2024 Fetu Afahye Basketball Tournament, and founder of the Stomp De Yard Basketball Tournament, among others.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
News
113 Cardinals hold 3rd General Congregation in Rome
The 113 Cardinals present in Rome held the third General Congregation on Thursday morning, and announced who will deliver the two pre-conclave meditations.
The Cardinals decided that Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández will celebrate the Mass on the sixth day of the Novemdiales, instead of Cardinal Kevin Farrell.
They agreed that Fr. Donato Ogliari, O.S.B., Abbot of St. Paul Outside the Walls, will deliver the first meditation on Monday, and that Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, Preacher Emeritus of the Papal Household, will deliver the second meditation at the beginning of the conclave, whose starting date has not yet been decided.
The Cardinals began a conversation about the Church and the world, deciding to hold the next General Congregation on Friday morning at 9:00 AM.
The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, told journalists that 61,000 people have paid their respects to the late Pope Francis as of 1:00 PM on Thursday, adding that St. Peter’s Basilica should close at midnight on Thursday, unless large crowds are still queuing to enter.
Following the Pope’s funeral on Saturday, April 26, a Rosary will be held in front of the Basilica of St. Mary Major on Saturday at 9:00 PM.
Mr. Bruni said the burial service for Pope Francis will take place in private.
Starting the morning of Sunday, April 27, the faithful may begin to visit the tomb of Pope Francis at the Marian Basilica.
