Hon. Shani Alhassan Shaibu, the Northern Regional Minister, addressed workers at the May Day Celebration held at Tamale Jubilee Park on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. The event, themed “The role of workers and social partners in securing Peaceful Election for National Development,” emphasized the government’s dedication to worker welfare amid ongoing economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hon. Shaibu assured workers that the Government of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo prioritizes their welfare in decision-making processes. Despite economic challenges, the recent salary increase for public sector workers reflects the government’s commitment to alleviate their financial burdens.
Reflecting on the significance of May Day, Hon. Shaibu highlighted the historical struggles of workers and emphasized the importance of productivity in tandem with demands for improved conditions of service.
“Today marks an important day in the calendar of all working families across the world. It is a commemorative event that reminds us of the struggles our forerunners waged in order to give us dignity at the workplace and is still unique today in a special way.”
Addressing the upcoming 2024 elections, Hon. Shaibu emphasized the theme’s relevance and urged all Ghanaians to prioritize fair, transparent, and peaceful elections. He called on organized labor to educate and discourage individuals from engaging in practices that could undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
Madam Felicia Kraja, the Northern Regional Secretary of TUC, echoed the importance of maintaining peace in Ghana, emphasizing its value amidst economic challenges.
“As we all know Ghana has not done too well in economic management. But, at least, we are enjoying relative peace, compared to other countries in the sub-region. The peace we are enjoying is priceless and so we should never allow partisan politics to destroy it. Peace is the only thing left for us and we should do everything we can to keep it”, she stated.
She announced a Special May Day Award for Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, Inspector-General of Police, in recognition of his leadership and contributions to peace and security in Ghana since assuming office in 2021.
Madam Kraja expressed confidence in Dr. Dampare’s ability to ensure continued peace throughout the upcoming general elections in December 2024.