AGI’s withdrawal from Monday’s strike not surprising - GUTA

The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) says it is not perturbed by the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI)’s decision to distance itself from a planned strike by businesses.

Unmoved GUTA is urging its members to stand in unity as they seek to salvage their businesses being strangled with outrageous taxes by government.

The Association of Ghana Industries Thursday issued an official statement to refute claims that it is part of an impending strike being spearheaded by GUTA.

The action takes effect from February 29 to March 3, 2016. Companies are expected to shutdown and shops closed down in the period of the nationwide strike.

According to the Executive Director of AGI, Mr Seth Twum-Akwaboah, there are other means through which they would present their plight as an association, of which the use of civil unrest is not part.

The AGI, he explained, is in talks with government to address the issue of high taxes.

“We wish to state that the Association has not been consulted on this intended strike action and therefore disassociate itself from such publication…” The AGI said in a statement signed by Chief Executive, Seth Twum-Akwaboah.

However, in an interview with ONUA Business News, the President of GUTA, George K. Ofori was not surprised by AGI’s behaviour.

Whist he wished them well with their negotiation with government, he prayed AGI does not crawl back crying to GUTA for support on the same issue.

Mr. Ofori insisted that all plans for the Monday to Thursday's strike is unabated, and reiterated the desire of members to carry through their threat hoping to salvage businesses from collapsing.