Demo won’t stabilise the cedi – Kofi Adams

Aspiring National Organiser of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kofi Adams has expressed disappointment at a directive issued by the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) to its members calling on them to actively participate in the upcoming Organized Labour demonstration.

“I am worried about the comments and statements from the GMA. I have not heard other groups issuing their own statement telling their members what to do, but GMA in particular, who for me should have been the last to be considering a demonstration, seems to be in love and happy about it and giving directives. TUC had spoken, I thought they will leave it like that but why the further elaboration. I feel it is wrong,” Kofi Adams said.

The GMA on Wednesday issued a statement throwing their weight behind a demonstration being organised by Organised Labour, led by the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Organised Labour will be embarking on one of the biggest nationwide mass demonstrations today, Thursday, 24th July, 2014. They are protesting against what they describe as a worsening cost of living caused by hikes in utility and petroleum prices, the depreciating value of the cedi against other foreign currencies and the mismanagement of the economy.

In view of this, the GMA has directed its members to only attend to emergency cases and to withdraw Out-Patient-Department (OPD) services in all hospitals throughout the country.

However, contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" on Wednesday, Kofi Adams said “looking at the nature of their (doctors) work; I thought they would be the last people to issue such an instruction. None of the groups joining TUC in the demonstration has given such an instruction. GMA seems to be too happy about his demonstration."

The Deputy NDC General Secretary believes embarking on demonstrations and strike actions will not solve the current economic crisis facing the country, pointing out that, instead of embarking on strikes and agitations, the workers should rather ‘sacrifice’ and that to him ‘will bring a lasting reward.

“Demonstrations cannot solve the current situation we are in. demonstrations cannot bring us investments, it cannot stabilise the cedi…” he intimated.