Accra: The Industrial and Commercial Workers' Union (ICU), Ghana, has called on the government to intervene in the operations of Daily Graphic and Ghanaian Times to remain viable and achieve their overall objectives. The two state-owned print media are currently struggling with financial challenges, calling for government support to make them viable and retain jobs.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Morgan Ayawine, the General Secretary of ICU-Ghana, made the call during the Greater Accra Regional Council, Youth and Women conference. The conference, held across the region, is a prelude to ICU-Ghana's 12th Quadrennial Delegate Conference in August 2025. He highlighted the crucial role of state-owned print media in informing, educating, and entertaining the public, while expressing concern about the lack of necessary resources to sustain their operations.
Mr. Ayawine pointed out the concerning issue of outstanding payments for workers' salaries and benefits. He suggested that recapitalization of the companies is essential to address these challenges and ensure their continued relevance in the media landscape. Additionally, he appealed to the government to revive Neoplan Ghana Limited to manufacture buses, including electric ones, to alleviate transportation challenges and sustain employment in the country.
He also urged the government to provide financial support to PBC Plc to maintain its services to farmers and secure jobs for its workers who have been trained at great expense. PBC Plc, once employing over 30,000 workers, now has fewer than 1,000 employees, with two years of unpaid salaries.
Mr. Ayawine emphasized the importance of equal partnership between unions and management for effective collaboration, stating that both capital and labor must work together for business profitability. He encouraged delegates to study the ICU Constitution and propose amendments to improve its quality, and advised adherence to the Collective Agreement and Labour Law.
Furthermore, Mr. Ayawine called for stakeholder collaboration to address labor-related issues and prevent unnecessary industrial actions. He urged delegates to actively participate in conference discussions to fulfill the organization's goals as the leading trade union in Ghana and Africa.
The conference also saw the election of new regional executives for women, youth, and council positions, with various individuals appointed to key roles to guide the union's activities moving forward.
