The Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, has urged the government to provide support for the training and capacity-building of labour union leaders across the country.
According to him, many union leaders lack adequate knowledge in key areas such as negotiations and labour laws, a situation that hampers effective representation of workers' interests.
Koomson cited the recent strike action by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) as a clear example of the need for training. "I think the government must look at supporting trade unions to train their leaders," he said. "The recent strike by the GRNMA, which reportedly led to some deaths, shows that many union leaders are not familiar with even basic provisions of the Labour Act." He pointed specifically to Section 97, subsections 1 and 2 of the Labour Act, which highlight the importance of good faith negotiations and making reasonable demands within the financial capacity of the employer. "You cannot demand what you know your employer cannot provide.
Some leaders don't even know this," he added.
