Effects of Organised Labour’s Strike Action against SSNIT: Breakdown of how it affects the average Ghanaian

Effects of Organised Labour’s Strike Action against SSNIT: Breakdown of how it affects the average Ghanaian

Organised Labour is proceeding with a nationwide strike in protest to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust’s (SSNIT) attempt to sell its 60 percent shares in four hotels.

In this blog post, I will share with you effects of Organised Labour’s strike against levelled against SSNIT.

Board of directors at SSNIT decided to sell 60% stake in four hotels they own to Bryan Acheampong, an NPP member who currently holds the position of Agriculture Minister.

On Friday, July 13, SSNIT terminated the sale process with Rock City Hotel after Organised Labour threatened a nationwide strike action on Monday, July 15 2024.

The deal termination was announced due to Rock City Hotel’s withdrawal from the bid to purchase SSNIT’s 60 percent shares in the hotels following backlash from the general public.

Despite this, Organised Labour remains firm in its decision to move forward with the strike action.

Effects of Organised Labour’s Strike Action against SSNIT: Breakdown of how it affects the average Ghanaian

The Organised Labour is an umbrella body for various unions in Ghana. These are University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives’ Association (GRNMA), Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Public Utility Workers Union (PUWU), Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG), Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU), Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG), and General Transport, Petroleum and Chemical Workers Union.

With all these unions forming a significant part of Ghana’s public workforce, a nationwide strike would affect the country’s already dieing economy.

Key unions involved in the strike action movement are the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG).

ALSO READ: Dissolve SSNIT Board, management members must resign immediately – UTAG demands

Impact on Judicial Processes

The Organised Labour Strike action threatens to disrupt judicial services, this disruption would lead to delays in court proceedings.

This would affect access to justice for many citizens, affecting legal representation and potentially compromising the judicial system’s integrity.

Courts in some parts of Accra has seen no work activity today.

Impact on Healthcare

In the healthcare sector, the strike could disrupt the delivery of essential services.

With the involvement of the GMA, the strike may impact the operations of hospitals and clinics, especially emergency services, leading to reduced patient care, longer waiting times for medical treatment, and ultimately negative effects on health outcomes.

ALSO READ: Organised labour suspends strike; gives SSNIT one month to address concerns

An instance is Ashanti Region’s Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, the Department for Outpatient Services have suspended its services to patients.

This has left many outpatients stranded and frustrated.

Organised Labour’s Strike would also affect the education sector, particularly university students.

With the involvement of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), universities may experience class cancellations, disrupted examinations, and halted academic activities.

This disruption can negatively affect students’ learning experiences and delay academic calendars, potentially impacting graduation timelines.

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Ongoing research projects and administrative duties would also face a huge setback.

The strike underscores the critical need for negotiations and dialogue to address concerns about transparency and accountability in public asset management, which are pivotal for maintaining a country’s stability.

In an interview on Citi TV, National Secretary of UTAG, Dr. Eliasu Mumuni, expressed disappointment, citing a mistrust in SSNIT, which he claimed ignored their warnings and concerns.

“When Organised Labour issued an ultimatum, the National Pensions Regulatory Authority, NPRA, stepped in and said they were putting the transaction on hold. Just when we thought the issue was resolved, it resurfaced with NPRA giving approvals,” he said.

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