President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has implored Ghanaian workers to engage in informed discourse and vote for candidates who espouse policies that promote inclusivity, equality and social justice.
President Akufo-Addo believes elections are by making choices from available personalities and policies and by having different preferences should not create enmity among Ghanaians.
In spite of differing opinions on policy issues, the President said Ghanaians should always resort to established protocols to express their displeasure and grievances without disruption to peace and national security.
He said workers voices matter in the country’s electoral process as it is the means by which their concerns and aspirations can adequately be captured and represented in the country’s governance structure.
Addressing Ghanaian Workers at this year’s (2024) May Day Celebrations at the Black Stars Square in Accra Wednesday, President Akufo-Addo said the role of all workers and social partners is to act responsibly in securing a peaceful election.
“Our political affiliations should not divide us. Instead, our different political opinions should unite us and provoke at the least, intellectual debate on how best we can move the country forward for the progress and prosperity.”
“Our democratic processes have stood the test of time, especially under the Fourth Republic. We have undertaken so far, eight (8) successive elections, whose results have given rise to three peaceful transfers of power from one party to another since 1992,” the President stated.
He pleaded with workers to continue to act with utmost integrity, professionalism and discipline in the run up to the elections, adding: “Election seasons should not unduly polarise us.”
“We are brothers and sisters, who will continue living together in the only country that God has given us even after the elections,” he reemphasised.
President Akufo-Addo said Ghanaians should remember that, despite the high stakes of previous elections, “we exhibited a great deal of political maturity in navigating the challenges we faced.”
As the backbone of Ghana, the President said, workers have a special role to play in shaping the outcome of elections for national development.
He was confident that this year’s (2024) elections, just as in previous elections, “Ghana will once again emerge stronger, more united and more capable of advancing the country’s development.”
On the labour front, President Akufo-Addo said disputes and disagreements are bound to arise and when they emerge, workers should look forward to responsible agencies for redress.
Actions towards national development, the President noted, places responsibility on state institutions to discharge their duties efficiently, adding: “workers and social partners, must hold state actors accountable on their mandate.”
Workers and social partners, President Akufo-Addo explained are all well placed to report any suspicious activity to safeguard the peace and security of the country.
Under his leadership, the President said various governance and security institutions have been resourced and reformed to be efficient, independent and ready to discharge their duties effectively and efficiently.
In the wake of the global economic and social challenges, he said even more imperative is for government to pay closer attention to happenings of the country and within the region.
Despite these challenges, the President said “we must remain steadfast to overcome emerging threats” and also ensure that there is peace and stability in the Labour front.
“The peaceful and stable labour front will create a conducive environment for government to implement his policies and programmes and for the economy to grow,” he stated.
President Akufo-Addo reiterated Government’s resolve to address the concerns of labour in the interests of national development
Outstanding arrears of tier-one SSNIT contributions, covering the period between 2010 and 2021, principally amounting to GHc2.46 billion had been paid by Government through securitisation in April 2024, he announced.
President Akufo-Addo said it is imperative to stress that Ghana’s recent economic challenges were not self inflicted, but as a result of myriad of external factors such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said until the pandemic, Ghana was one of the fastest growing economies in the entire world. The escalation of tensions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine further exacerbated these difficulties leading to increased volatility in global markets.
The President said government is making significant progress on the performance of the post COVID-19 programme for economic growth whose implementation started in 2022.
He said government is creating a more stable, macroeconomic environment for all businesses to thrive and also lay the foundation for stronger and more inclusive growth whilst protecting the poor and vulnerable.
On the recent intermittent power cuts, President Akufo-Addo said the issue surrounding maintenance of transformers and gas supply have been successfully resolved resulting in a sufficient improvement in power supply reliability.
“Indeed, over the past few days, we have witnessed stable electricity supply across the country with no load shedding reported anywhere yesterday.”
He extended his heartfelt gratitude to all Ghanaians for their patience and understanding during the recent temporary challenges with electricity supply across the country.
“For the past seven (7) years, we have worked tirelessly to keep the lights on and I am confident that the unfortunate year of “Dumsor” will not return,” the President assured.
Rex Mainoo Yeboah, ISD
