The General Secretary of the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union (GMU), Abdul-Moomin Gbana, has delivered a powerful address calling for significant reforms in the country’s labour laws.
Mr. Gbana called for a renewed commitment to fighting corruption and a peaceful, transparent electoral process in the lead-up to the 2024 general elections.
This was during the second half of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held at the GNAT Hall in Accra on November 26, 2024.
In his address, Mr. Gbana emphasized the urgent need for the passage of the reviewed Labour Act, a campaign the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union has vigorously championed for the past five years.
The General Secretary highlighted the troubling shift in the nature of employment within Ghana’s economy over the last decade. He pointed out a significant decline in decent work, with increasing casualization, temporary contracts, and outsourcing, particularly in the mining sector. These practices, he argued, have left workers vulnerable, with lower job security, reduced workplace protections, and increasing risks related to accidents and injuries.
He called on President Akufo-Addo to ensure that the revised Labour Act (2003, Act 651) is passed before his term ends on January 7, 2025.
“The current Labour Act is woefully inadequate in addressing the modern realities of the workforce,” he said. “We need a law that better protects workers, ensures job security, and fosters fair wages and conditions.”
Despite initial progress in the review process, Mr. Gbana expressed frustration that the law had yet to be enacted and urged the President to act decisively in the remaining months of his term to provide better protection for Ghanaian workers.
Another central theme of the address was the urgent need to confront corruption, a pervasive issue that has hindered Ghana’s economic growth for decades. He pointed to the staggering losses caused by corruption and illicit financial flows, estimating that Ghana loses more than US$3 billion annually to corruption, with illicit financial flows from trade mis-invoicing amounting to over US$40 billion between 1960 and 2012.
“This is a massive drain on our national resources, money that could have been used to pay off debt, fund infrastructure, and improve social services,” said Mr. Gbana.
“It is no longer enough for trade unions and citizens to be silent spectators. The time has come for us to speak out more vigorously against corruption in all its forms.”
Mr. Gbana called on the leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to take a stronger stance against corruption, asserting that the fight against corruption must become a central issue for unions across the country.
“We must be proactive in advocating for greater accountability and transparency,” he urged. “We cannot afford to ignore the impact of corruption on the lives of our workers and the future of our nation.”
With Ghana’s 2024 general elections fast approaching, he also addressed the critical importance of ensuring that the elections are free, fair, and peaceful. Reflecting on the country’s democratic progress since the introduction of the Fourth Republican Constitution in 1992, he acknowledged the many imperfections that have marred past elections, including violence, intimidation, and electoral malpractice.
“While our electoral system has made progress over the years, the human factor remains a challenge,” he noted. “It is crucial that we continue to make strides toward electoral integrity, and that includes ensuring a peaceful election environment.”
The GMU General Secretary specifically called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to demonstrate professionalism and impartiality in its management of the elections, emphasizing that the EC must refrain from actions or public statements that could undermine the credibility of the electoral process.
He also urged the EC to establish clear mechanisms for resolving disputes, particularly by setting up complaint desks at polling stations and monitoring social media platforms for misinformation and disinformation.
Mr. Gbana’s address also extended to political parties, particularly the two main contenders—NDC and NPP—urging them to engage in peaceful, law-abiding campaigns. He warned that violence, hate speech, and misinformation only contribute to deepening divisions and instability within the country.
The General Secretary also sent a message to security agencies, reminding them of their constitutional duty to protect the lives and rights of all Ghanaians, not just a select few.
“Security personnel must serve as agents of peace and democracy,” he said. “Your duty is to ensure that every citizen can exercise their right to vote without fear or intimidation.”
As the 2024 elections approach, he urged the working people of Ghana to participate fully in the democratic process, reminding them that the future of the nation hinges on a peaceful and inclusive election.
“The success of Ghana’s democracy and the welfare of workers are inextricably linked,” he said.
“We must vote for leaders who will prioritize the needs of the working class, who will respect workers’ rights, and who will foster an environment in which businesses and jobs can flourish.”
He concluded with a strong message of unity and peace, calling on all trade unions and their members to be agents of peace in the lead-up to the elections and beyond.
“We must work together to create a fairer, just, and more prosperous Ghana for all,” he said. “May the best candidate win, and may God bless our nation.”
Abdul-Moomin Gbana’s address serves as both a call to action and a reminder of the challenges facing Ghanaian workers and the nation at large.
The Ghana Mineworkers’ Union, under his leadership, is clearly committed to tackling the issues of labour rights, corruption, and electoral integrity head-on. As the country approaches a critical election year, the GMU’s leadership is determined to ensure that the voices of workers and the need for fair, transparent governance are heard.