The General Secretary of the Industrial and Commercial Workers' Union (ICU)-Ghana, Mr Morgan Ayawine, together with six other national officers, has been re-elected to steer the affairs of the Union for another four years.Their election took place at the just-ended 12th Quadrennial Delegates' Conference of the ICU-Ghana, which was supervised by the Acting Chief Labour Officer, Mr Dawuda Ibrahim Braimah.Mr Dawuda Ibrahim Braimah (left) swearing in the new executivesThe conference was held on the theme: "Enhancing Productivity at the Workplace: The Role of Social Partners."The other elected national officers, who all went unopposed, include the National Chairman, Alhaji Nureeden Al-Hassan; National Vice Chairman, Mr Paul Kofi Charway; Deputy General Secretary in charge of Operations, Mr Baah Benimah; Deputy General Secretary in charge of Administration, Mr Samuel Ananga; National First Trustee, Mr Charles Kojo Yeboah; and National Second Trustee, Jemima Fafa Seneya-Bentum.In his acceptance speech, Mr Ayawine expressed appreciation to the delegates for the overwhelming endorsement of the leadership, describing the election as a "victory for the Union."Quoting from a hymn with some variation, he said: "The strife is over, the battle is done; the victory of the Union is won."He noted that attempts by some members to destabilise the Union had failed, and the results reflected the confidence members had in the executives."Thanks be to God, their evil machinations and sabotaging strategies were exposed and nipped in the bud, hence this sweet victory," he remarked.According to him, the re-election of the entire leadership team signified continuity and approval of the work done in the past four years."Continuity ensures efficiency and progress, and the re-elected National Leadership is committed to strengthening all the structures of the Union," he stated.Mr Ayawine appealed to members for continued cooperation, stressing that leadership alone could not achieve the Union's goals.
He pledged to remain dedicated to protecting the rights and welfare of workers, which, he said, was the core mandate of ICU-Ghana.Tracing the Union's history, he reminded delegates of the sacrifices of past leaders who merged five unions to form ICU-Ghana."The generality of workers in Ghana today look up to ICU-Ghana for the protection of their economic interest, and with all hands on deck, we shall certainly move this Union to the highest pedestal, and make it the 'people's Union'," he affirmed.The National Chairman, Alhaji Al-Hassan, commended the delegates for the trust reposed in the executives.He pledged that the leadership would work harder to advance the cause of workers, while also calling for unity among members to achieve the Union's mission.The 12th Quadrennial Delegates' Conference brought together hundreds of members and delegates across the country to take stock of activities of the Union, map out strategies for growth and elect new leaders to steer the affairs of the organisation for the next four years. BY KINGSLEY ASARE
