Sunyani: The Extractive Industry Workers’ Union Ghana (EIWUG) has called on the government to improve the condition of the Sunyani-Kenyasi road to aid movement and enhance economic activities.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Victor Asare Gyapong, Executive Director of EIWUG, highlighted that the road’s poor state hampers vehicle movement and slows down local economic activities.
Speaking at the launch of the Union’s national secretariat in Sunyani, themed ‘Partnering for progress: Shaping the Future of Industrial Relations,’ Mr. Gyapong emphasized the urgency of addressing the road’s condition. He urged the government to instruct the Ministry of Roads and Highways to prioritize the road’s rehabilitation, as it is crucial for human welfare, development, and productivity.
Mr. Gyapong noted that the deteriorating road condition extends travel time between Sunyani and Kenyasi from under an hour to more than two hours. This, he stated, leads to fatigue, health issues, reduced productivity, and increased vehicle maintenance costs. He pointed out that women and female employees are particularly affected.
In addition to road issues, Mr. Gyapong shared that the union is committed to promoting employee rights and welfare. To this end, EIWUG has launched a savings scheme aimed at fostering financial discipline, stability, and wealth creation among its members. This initiative is complemented by an insurance protection scheme for securing members’ futures.
Mr. Isaac Maalma-Kaminta, Deputy Chief Labour Officer at the Bono Regional Labour Department, acknowledged the vital role of trade unions in improving workers’ socio-economic conditions. He encouraged EIWUG to continue advocating for better working conditions, promoting innovation, safety, gender equality, and environmental stewardship, while maintaining accountability and minimizing workplace disputes.
EIWUG, which currently has 460 members, was officially registered on June 2, 2020, under Section 84 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).
