Salary arrears spark protest as Akosombo Textiles workers seek government intervention

More than 1,000 workers of the Akosombo Textiles Limited (ATL), now operating as Akosombo Industrial Company Limited (AICL), on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, staged a peaceful protest over 10 months of unpaid salaries and worsening conditions at the factory.

The workers marched through the principal streets of the Asuogyaman District before presenting a petition addressed to President John Dramani Mahama through the Asuogyaman District Chief Executive (DCE), Godwin Bobobee.

Carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, the workers appealed for urgent government intervention to revive the once-thriving textile company, which they say has been struggling with financial and operational challenges for years.



Many of the demonstrators carried placards bearing messages that reflected their frustration and urgent appeals to government authorities. Some of the inscriptions read, "10 Months No Pay," "Mr President, ATL Needs Investors Now," "Pay Our Tier 2 From 2021 Till Now," "ATL Workers, We Are Dying," "Asuogyaman MP, We Need Your Intervention," and "Hon. Trade Minister, Kindly Sign the MoU for the Investor."

The placards underscored the workers' demands for the payment of their outstanding salaries and benefits, as well as swift government action to secure an investor capable of reviving the struggling company.

Workers List Six Major Concerns

Reading the petition on behalf of the workers, Acting Chairman of the Industrial and Commercial Workers' Union (ICU) Local Union, Sampson Ocansey, outlined six key concerns affecting employees and the future of the company.

The workers appealed to the President to facilitate the swift takeover of the company by a strategic investor, whom they said is ready to inject capital into the business to restore production and improve workers' welfare.

They also complained about what they described as extremely low wages, noting that some employees who have served the company for between 35 and 40 years continue to earn salaries that are inadequate to meet current economic realities.

According to the petition, workers have not received salaries from September 2025 to June 2026, amounting to 10 months' arrears. They further alleged that bonus deductions made from their salaries since 2021 have not been paid.

The petition also highlighted declining production due to shortages of raw materials, saying the factory now operates only about two days each week, leaving its future uncertain.

Additionally, the workers accused management of failing to remit Tier Two pension contributions, back pay, provident fund contributions, and union dues deducted from their salaries since 2021, warning that the delays are affecting the value of their retirement benefits.

They further appealed to the government to fulfil its commitment under the proposed 24-hour economy initiative by providing a stimulus package to help revive the company.

"We are appealing to you to come to our aid, hoping to see positive solutions and counting on your unflinching support for the nation," the petition concluded.



Union: Workers Losing Hope

Speaking to journalists after presenting the petition, ICU Local Union Secretary Botwe Joseph said prolonged salary delays and uncertainty over the company's future had left workers and their families in severe hardship.

He said the company had shown little progress over the past three years despite assurances that a strategic investor would take over operations.

"Our salaries have been delayed for 10 months. Workers who have retired cannot access their Tier Two benefits, gratuities and other entitlements. Bonuses and other deductions have also not been paid. People are losing hope," he said.

According to him, the company currently employs more than 1,000 workers across its junior and senior staff, producing a range of textile products, including ABC wax prints, Java prints, floral fabrics, school uniforms, and other textile materials.

Botwe attributed the company's decline to operational challenges that emerged after the exit of the previous Chinese management, saying production has dropped significantly due to persistent shortages of raw materials.

He expressed confidence that the DCE would forward the petition to the appropriate authorities but said the workers expected a response within a month before deciding on their next course of action.

Workers Describe Hardship

Some workers shared emotional accounts of the impact of the prolonged salary delays.

One employee, who said he had served the company for 35 years, disclosed that he earns less than GH¢1,000 a month.

"I have worked here for 35 years, yet I earn less than GH¢1,000. I have a wife and children to take care of. We are pleading with the President to intervene," he said.

Another worker said he receives GH¢880 a month, but even that salary remains unpaid.

"I receive only GH¢880, and it is still in arrears. We are appealing to the government to intervene. We also call on the traditional leadership in Akwamuman to support us," he said.

DCE Promises to Forward Petition

Receiving the petition, Asuogyaman DCE Godwin Bobobee assured the workers that their concerns would be forwarded through the Eastern Regional Minister to President Mahama.

"The petition is not meant for me personally. My responsibility is to ensure it reaches the President through the appropriate channels, and I believe the President will take the necessary action," he said.

Bobobee expressed sympathy for the workers, describing their situation as difficult.

"When people have worked and gone without salaries for 10 months, you can only empathise with them. I sympathise with them and assure them that the President will consider their petition," he stated.

Although he declined to provide a timeline for government action, he said discussions had been ongoing with management regarding the future of the company.

According to him, management has indicated that financial constraints remain the company's biggest challenge.

The DCE also suggested that the government would need to assess broader issues, including the company's shareholding structure, operational efficiency, and management practices before committing public resources.

He noted that because the company is majority privately owned, government intervention is subject to certain limitations.

Bobobee further commended the workers for conducting a peaceful demonstration and assured them that the district assembly would continue working with security agencies to maintain peace while efforts continue to revive the company.

He urged the workers to remain patient and resilient as the government explores solutions to restore the factory to full operation.