Koforidua workers call for peace in Ghana

Placard bearing workers of trade unions in the Eastern Region marched through the principal streets of Koforidua to the Jackson Park as part of activities marking the May Day in the Eastern Region.

Most of the placards were calling for peace in the country and the need for political parties to reduce the political tension in the country.

Mr Victor Smith, the Eastern Regional Minister in addressing the workers, called on the leadership of organized labour to engage their members in sound and balance political education so that their members could make informed choices during the coming elections.

He pleaded with organized labour not to resort to industrial action in any misunderstanding with government or their employers but to use dialogue to settle all differences.

Mr Smith advised workers not to allow themselves to be used by politicians seeking to foment trouble during the forthcoming national elections saying when they get involved into trouble, the politicians would leave them to their fate.

He assured workers of the commitment of government to improve upon their standards of living and said this was evidenced by the migration of workers unto the Single Spine Salary Structure(SSSS) and improvement in other conditions of workers.

The Regional Minister appealed to the media to be circumspect in their reportage saying under the umbrella of freedom of speech, some media houses have turned their airwaves and newspapers into battle grounds where uncomplimentary utterances are made.

He reminded media workers and panelists that nobody is above the law and unguarded comments could land them in serious trouble.

The Speech of the Secretary General of the TUC , Mr Kofi Asamoah, was read on his behalf by the Eastern Regional Secretary of the TUC, Ms Francisca Borkor Bortey.

Mr Alex Asamoah, the New Juaben Municipal Chief Executive, said the responsibility for free and fair elections does not depend on only one institution and that it is the duty of all Ghanaians to ensure that it proceeds successfully.

The Eastern Regional Chairman of the TUC, Mr Daniel Yaw Nkrumah, appealed to Ghanaians to have confidence in the Electoral Commission and stick to the national peace plan to ensure that the country continue to enjoy the existing peace.**