PSWU elects woman to lead the union.

Kumasi, Dec. 14, GNA - The Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) on Thursday elected Ms. Georgina Opoku Amankwa, a 42-year-old lawyer, as its National Chairperson. She polled 76 votes to defeat Daniel Arhin-Sam who received 56 votes. By her election, Ms. Amankwa becomes the first woman to lead the 20,618-member PSWU.

The election formed part of activities of the 7th quadrennial delegates conference of the union and was on the theme 'public sector reforms-the role of public sector workers".

Mr. Jacob N. A. Owuo was elected national Vice Chairperson unopposed. The incumbent General Secretary, Mr. Abraham Tetteh Dian Okine, polled 113 votes to defeat Mr Victor Amponsah who had 21 votes. Mr. Richard Ampaabeng polled 103 votes to defeat the incumbent Deputy General Secretary, Emmanuel Tei Ofori who received 26 votes. Mr. Santos A. Beyogleh received 51 votes to defeat George E. Amunzu and Samuel T. Amoako who received 49 and 39 votes respectively, for the first trustee position.

Madam Fati Seidu Tambro polled 108 votes to defeat Tano Donkor and Edmund A. Ansong who received 17 and seven votes respectively for the second trustee positions.

For the audit committee position, Mr. E. A. Agbenyega polled 99 votes, Mrs Elisabeth Efua Amissah, 96 votes and Kwame A. Asare 76 votes. Swearing the newly elected executives into office to begin their four-year tenure, Mr. Alex K. Bonney, Chairman of the TUC, advised the new team to work hard, consolidate the gains of the union and find new ways of improving the labour front. "The fate of members of the PSWU is in your hands and you must not disappoint them," he said.

Ms. Amankwa expressed her appreciation for the mandate and appealed to all members not to allow the pre-election campaigns to divide them but work together as one people. "My election is a victory for women and women must strive hard to achieve success wherever they find themselves," she said. Mr. Okine said the renewed mandate would compel the leadership to move the union forward and complete most of its outstanding projects.