By Michael Pepsin Avorgah, GNA
Viepe-Tokor (V/R), March 14, GNA — The ongoing strike by the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG) has significantly disrupted operations at the Ketu South Municipal Assembly, leaving many residents stranded and unable to access essential government services.
The industrial action, which has entered its fourth day, has led to the closure of several offices at the Assembly, halting routine administrative and public services.
A visit by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) to the Assembly premises in Viepe-Tokor on Friday observed many offices locked, with no staff present to attend to clients. Only the office of the Municipal Chief Executive remained operational.
Some residents who had travelled to the Assembly to transact official business expressed frustration over the disruption.
Mr Bran Dormekpor, a client, who travelled from Accra to pay his property rate, said he was disappointed to find the offices closed upon arrival.
“I have a property here and every year I come to pay the rate as a responsible citizen. But when I arrived, I was told the staff were on strike, so I will have to return another day,” he told the GNA.
Mr Dormekpor lamented the inconvenience and additional cost the situation would impose on him.
“I reside in Accra and came here specifically to pay my property rate. Now I have to either stay overnight at an extra cost or travel back and return another day,” he said.
Madam Grace Normeshie, a farmer who also visited the Assembly, said she had come to meet officials at the Municipal Agriculture Office to seek information about a new improved onion seed ahead of the upcoming farming season.
She, however, found the office locked.
Madam Normeshie said although she had heard on the radio that some public sector workers were on strike, she did not know that staff of the Agriculture Department were also part of the industrial action.
Mr Wisdom Asase, Chairman of CLOGSAG at the Ketu South Municipal Assembly, acknowledged the inconvenience caused to the public but said the strike had become necessary due to unresolved concerns regarding the conditions of service of members.
He said members of the association were equally unhappy about the disruption in service delivery but had to comply with the national directive issued by the leadership of the association.
Mr Asase called on the government to urgently engage with the national leadership of CLOGSAG to resolve the impasse amicably.
Members of CLOGSAG across the country embarked on the industrial action on Monday, March 9, to press home their demands relating to conditions of service and other concerns.
The association has indicated that the strike will continue until their grievances are adequately addressed.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Kenneth Odeng Adade