'Use May Day to reflect on restoring workers’ rights' – Kwesi Pratt to TUC

Managing Editor for the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has asked the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to use the May Day celebration to reflect on ways to restore the rights and solidarity of Ghanaian workers.

Ghana marked Workers’ Day on Friday May 1, 2020. This year’s celebration was held in the studios of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) instead of the Independence Square due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, and government’s directive on ban on social gathering.

The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo while delivering an address to commemorate the occasion said, “So, let me, on behalf of Government and the people of Ghana, wish all workers a Happy May Day celebration. We recognize and appreciate the efforts and sacrifices you have made towards the construction of the happy and prosperous Ghana we seek, and, on this day, I say a big ayekoo to each one of you.”

According to the President, the relationship between Government and Organised Labour has been one of cordiality, co-operation and mutual respect since he assumed office.

He added that his government will continue even more firmly on this path of co-operation and collaboration on which they have embarked

But speaking on Atinka FM’s AM Drive with host Ekourba Gyasi, Managing Editor for the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, said May Day celebrations are not about Presidents or the establishment of the Day itself.

He noted that May Day is about workers fighting for their rights and principles they stand for.

“If I had my own way, This May Day should be a time of reflection for restoring workers right, the solidarity of workers, the unity of workers to confront the social economic problems confronting the working people of Ghana,” Kwesi Pratt said.

Meanwhile, government in collaboration with the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), Business & Trade Associations and selected Commercial and Rural Banks, will, from this month of May, roll out a soft loan scheme up to a total of six hundred million cedis (GH¢600 million) to support micro, small and medium scale businesses.

The loans disbursed will have a one-year moratorium, and two-year repayment period.