Editorial
‘Ayekoo’ to all workers
Last Wednesday was International Workers’ Day, often known as May Day, celebrated by workers across the country.
Workers’ Day which falls on May 1, is a yearly observance to honour the contributions of all workers around the world.
As usual,labour unions and labour associations nationwide staged and parade to commemorate this year’s event.
The participants wore T-shirts from their respective organisations and carried placards with messages to the public that expressed concern.
Earlier, a call was made on the government to actively try to improve the working conditions of public sector employees.
The celebration was under the theme, “Election 2024: “The Role of Workers and Social Partners in Securing Peaceful Elections for National Development.”
In a statement the Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union Ghana (ICU-Ghana) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) earlier warned employers not to convert permanent job positions to contract and casual work in an effort to maximise profit.
“The practice is not only demotivating but also unacceptable and may eventually backfire on them,” the statement reads.
Given the current state of the economy and the difficulties faced by workers in making ends meet, the advice seems appropriate.
The Spectator applauds employers who are making every effort to lessen employees’ pains and suffering and providing a supportive work environment.
We also implore employees to put in more effort every day of the year in order to guarantee high productivity, profitability, and sustainability for businesses to meet their organisational goals,
Since it is often said that “time is money,” we encourage employees to respect their time and not arrive late for work, as this negatively affects many national industries and impedes progress.
Arriving early for work boosts productivity, which in turn leads to efficiency; yet, a lack of it breeds inefficiency, failure, and other issues.
Furthermore, we implore employees to abstain from actions that can jeopardise peace and stability in the run-up to the general elections in 2024.
We say “Ayekoo” to all workers for their tireless efforts in keeping businesses afloat.
Dear Editor,
I wish to use this esteemed platform to urge the traditional councils of Osu and La to call for independent investigation into the recent demolition exercise at Kaajaano.
The exercise rendered hundreds homeless.
Information about the reason for the demolition has been scanty with those desiring to know feeding heavily on social media posts.
One particular name –Jato, has been associated with it but under whose instruction the exercise was carried is also not known.
Sadly, instead of getting to know who ordered the demolition and for what reasons, traditional authorities of Osu and La have been embroiled in a tug-of-war over ownership of the said land.
This is premature. At this moment, they should call for investigation into the exercise to know the people behind it.
When that is done, then discussions about the owners of the site can begin. That would end the posture of the two neighbouring town which has the potential to turn into something else.
Ataa Osa Mensah,
Osu
Dear Editor,
I wish to use your respected platform to draw the attention of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to the behaviour of traders and some drivers about the use of lower denomination coins, specifically the 20 and 10 pesewas.
About two weeks ago, I read in your sister newspaper, The Ghanaian Times about this problem and the caution that followed from the BoG and some economic analysts.
The warning they gave was that the continuous rejection of the notes could create pricing problems which can eventually affect inflation.
I thought that would put to bed that practice or refusal to accept the coins when given out as change or use to pay for particular service.
Unfortunately, the problem still persist among traders, drivers, customers and passengers alike. Only last week, there was as altercation in the Accra Central area where a woman refused to accept five 20 pesewas note totaling one cedi.
As the argument continued, the trader decided not to sell to the customer again after by-standers explained to her that it was still a legal tender and those that refused it could become offenders.
This is an issue the BoG and other regulatory agencies must go and explain to the people and let them know that it is unlawful not to accept a currency that is still in use.
It nothing was done, it could create a much more serious problems.
Mary Osei Badu,
Swedru
