Accra, June 1, GNA - The second Quadrennial Women Workers in Transpo rt and Petro-Chemical Industries Conference, ended in Accra with a call on the participants to strive to improve upon their ability to rise to top positions at their work places.

The Conference, which was sponsored by the General Transport, Petrol eum and Chemical Workers Union

(GTPCWU) of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) offered the women the opportunity to learn how to face the challenges of modern technology. Ms Theresa Nadia Abugah, Head of Women's Desk of the TUC said since women played important role in

the economic development of any country and should therefore be equipped to face the challenges ahead. She expressed the need for a critical mass of women representation i n organised labour, saying: "This is

the only way to ensure that the needs of women are actually addressed." Mrs Veronica Ayikwei Cofie, a retired Trade Unionist said it was imperative for women who find jobs in

the emerging oil industry to as a matter of necessity subject themselves to self development courses. She said they should avail themselves of education and training opportunities being offered by both

public and private institutions of higher learning to equip them with the

requisite knowledge and skills

required in the oil industry. Mr Emmanuel Armstrong Mensah, General Secretary of GTPCWU would empo wer more women to

participate actively in trade union activities to ensure that their conce rns are addressed in collective

bargaining issues. 1 June 10