Labour demo: ICU accuses GES of intimidation

Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) in the Western Region has accused the Ghana Education Service of being responsible for the low turnout that nearly halted yesterday’s demonstration in that region.

According to Osei Assibey Antwi, the Western Regional Chairman of the Union, the GES in the region threatened to sanction teachers who do not turn up for class.

He said: “We had information that some directors at GES clandestinely sent messages round that they were going to do a headcount in the schools and that kept most of our members outside this demonstration, but whatever they do, organized labour will strive.”

He sent a strong warning to the Ghana Education Service to desist from infringing on the rights of its members.

He warned that “they dare not take any action against any of our members for hitting the streets. It’s a national thing. Even in Accra they are doing it. I am challenging any person who will take any action against any of our members and we will see where the power lies.”

Mr. Assibey also expressed disappointment with the reception given the
demonstrators in the Western Region.

After walking for over two hours on some principal streets from Takoradi to Sekondi, only the leaders of the demonstrators were allowed entry into the Regional Coordinating Council.

Their petition was also given to the chief director at the Western Regional Coordinating Council instead of the Regional Minister whom the demonstrators had wanted to hand over their petition to.

Mr. Asibey Antwi bemoaned that “It’s an unfortunate situation because at the national front the president has travel and then you come to the Western Region, both the Regional Minister and his Deputy has traveled. I do not want to suspect that they do not respect Ghanaian workers. But if they give us the course to think that way, then we are in for them.”