By Dennis Peprah, GNA
Duayaw-Nkwanta, (Ahafo), May 01, GNA – Dr Freda Prempeh, a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Tano North Constituency in the Ahafo Region has called on the government to honour the dignity of workers by improving the conditions of service of public sector employees.
As the working population of the country joined millions around the world to observe the Workers Day of Solidarity or May Day, Dr Prempeh commended the workers for their priceless contributions towards efforts to improve the lot of humanity.
History revealed that the May Day celebrations took place on May 1, 1890 after its proclamation by the first international congress of socialist parties in Europe on July 14th 1889 in Paris, France, to dedicate May 1 every year as the “Workers Day of International Unity and Solidarity.”
Declared as a public holiday in Ghana, workers are observing the day nationwide, on the theme: “Pivoting to Growth, Jobs and Sustainable Livelihoods Beyond Macroeconomic Stability”, highlighting a shift from stabilization to economic expansion.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Duayaw-Nkwanta, Dr Prempeh, also the Founder of the Ultimate Women Foundation (UWF), an NGO, said the government ought to reward the immeasurable contributions of workers involved in productive enterprise with better conditions of service.
She said the UWF sought to unearth the potential and empower indigenous women to know their worth and contribute positively to building a better society for all.
Dr Prempeh emphasised that the observance of the workers day in the country ought to go beyond remembering the achievements of the labour movement, but must also reflect and transform the socioeconomic livelihoods of especially public sector workers.
Touching on the theme for the celebration, Dr Prempeh stated with emphasis that: “In fact, the contributions of the ordinary public sector worker towards building a resilient and stable economy is unparalleled and that must correspond to a better condition of service”.
Dr Prempeh expressed worry that the nation’s public sector salary structure had remained unfavourable to the ordinary or lower-class workers, despite their strenuous efforts towards building the economy.
She called on the nation to prioritize and do more and to improve the welfare of public sector employees to enhance their livelihoods, live dignified lives by positioning them to meet the emerging demand needs of their respective families.
Dr Prempeh also expressed concern about the rising youth unemployment in the country now, describing the situation as a threat to national security, and asked the government to create an enabling environment for a thriving private sector.
She emphasised that the private sector remained the engine of growth, saying that with a conducive and enabling environment, the private sector could create more job opportunities to absorb the unemployed youth.
Dr Prempeh wished all workers a happy celebration, and expressed the hope that the government would be more sensitive in addressing the emerging concerns of workers, create more economic opportunities and build a resilient economy and thereby create a better society for all Ghanaians.
GNA
Reporter: Dennis Peprah, GNA
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