The Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) is demanding an apology from the President concerning his ‘smart business’ comment on May Day.

Mr John Mahama said, during his speech to mark Workers’ Day that despite the current power crisis, smart businesses were being innovative and investing in their production capacity to retain workers rather than lay them off.

The President cited the Accra Brewery Limited (ABL), which recently procured a $100-million production plant toward supplanting its production capacity, as an example.

The main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described the remark as “insensitive” to Ghanaians businesses and investors who are bearing the brunt of the crisis, a situation that has persisted since 2012.

Speaking to Ultimate Breakfast Show host Prince Minkah on Ultimate 106.9FM, ICU General Secretary, Solomon Kotei said if indeed the President captured the remark in print in his speech, then he owes Ghanaian businesses and investors an apology.

“If it is not written on his paper, then I’m calling for forgiveness, but if it written on his paper, then it is a well cut-out plan to come and infuriate others, who have invested their monies in this country. If it is that position, then he must come out as the President that we know to say: ‘I’m sorry,’” Mr. Kotei remarked.

It is estimated that about 5,000 industry workers could lose their jobs by September if the power situation does not improve.