Let's Work Together; We Shall Surmount The Temporary Challenges - Dr. Omane Boamah Tells Striking Workers

Government has appealed to the conscience of the public sector workers to hold a tête-à-tête conversation to negotiate between themselves in order to get the workers back to work. Addressing the media at Monday's "Meet the Press" in Accra, the Minister of Communications Dr. Omane Boamah assured the workers of government's commitment to ensuring that their pensions are managed effectively and safely. According to him, government believes in the power of the State and the private sector to manage the pension funds. “We believe in the power of the State in protecting pensioners. We believe the private sector has a role to play in this endeavour but we are also guided by bitter case studies in Ghana and across the globe. When bankruptcy sets in, who will bail the poor pensioner out? Who will protect the retirement income security of the pensioner?” He further denounced claims that the government might be mismanaging the workers' monies, hence its inability to account for the funds contributed by the workers into the Pension Trust Fund. He promised that the government has not ignored the grievances expressed by the workers regarding their pensions but rather has a responsibility of protecting the workers during and after retirement. He hoped for a mutual relationship between government and public workers to reach amicable solution to the ongoing misunderstanding. "I’m happy to indicate that all the directors and the workers of the Ministry of Communication are working…We wish to state unequivocally that government will never be mean-spirited. Organized Labour, pensioners, the poor and vulnerable are and continue to remain our natural allies. By working together, we shall surmount this temporary challenge. “You will retire. I will retire. President Mahama will retire…when that happens, who is going to take care of us...Young people die, old people die. Young people have stroke, Old people have stroke…when that happens; who is going to take care of you?” he said. He also commended the workers who defied the strike action and continued to render services to their institutions. “Some workers, out of their own beliefs and understanding, have rendered and continue to render service in our public institutions notwithstanding the fact that some strike enforcers or task forces go around the Ministries, schools etc. to intimidate them. Government commends the determination, fortitude and understanding of the former. Ghanaians to whom you’re rendering such timely services to in their time of need will remain eternally grateful to you and they will not forget your sacrifices." The thrust of government’s actions regarding the pension fund and the law suit, according to Dr. Omane Boamah, were informed by their interest to safeguard workers in the nation. He therefore called on striking workers to "get to work even as we negotiate for the two are not mutually exclusive and exhaustive. Thank you. Long live comradeship between government and workers. God bless all workers…”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com