Otumfuo worried over strikes

The frequent industrial actions, particularly, in a critical sector like health, has become a source of worry to the country, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has observed.

The Asante King noted that he was deeply worried because the persistent strike actions have had negative tolls on the country’s development and its quest to become a middle income country.

Speaking at the opening session of the 53rd Annual General Meeting of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) held in Kumasi, the Asantehene noted that in modern day governance system where every country aspires to progress economically, it was unacceptable to allow strikes and suspensions of services to prevail in the public sector, without appropriate mechanisms to resolve grievances.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, therefore, charged political leaders, stakeholders, and people placed in authority to negotiate for better service conditions, to devise modern sophisticated methods of handling issues, rather than resorting to industrial actions.

While commending executives of the Ghana Medical Association for suspending tile strike action, the overlord of the Ashanti Kingdom also charged the National Labour Commission (NLC) and the Fair Wages and Salary Commission to expedite action on the grievances of the doctors, to ensure the prevalence of peace in the .health sector.

The Asantehene noted that it would be not in the interest of anyone or group of people in the country to see doctors or other professionals embark on strike actions, stressing that the consequences of such unfortunate situations were often suicidal.

He commended the medical staff for their services to the country, but said he was not happy with the level of brain drain that had resulted in most health personnel going to seek greener pastures outside the country.

Stressing that the problem could only be mitigated when conditions of service for workers are bettered, the Asantehene charged the authorities to refrain from the persistent politicisation of issues, and instead, handle matters holistically, to ensure that lasting solutions were found to the abnormality.

Speaking on the theme, “Carnage on our Roads,” the Asantehene further expressed worry that the Ashanti Region was leading on the road accidents tally, and challenged stakeholders to step up their efforts towards eradicating road accidents.

He noted that the c9untry cannot continue to lose precious lives to preventable road accidents, and therefore, advocated for pragmatic measures towards curbing the menace.

Attributing the major causes of road accidents to the poor road networks in the country, and the use of second hand tyres and spare parts on vehicles by transport operators, the Asantehene called for a collaborative effort on the part of the government, the police and stakeholders such as the Driver and Vehicle Licence Authority(DVLA), to ensure that vehicles on our roads are in sound condition, while ensuring that drivers comply with road traffic regulations, so that the carnage on our road and its associated health effects are minimised.