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| President John Mahama |
Some labour groups in the country have lashed out at
President John Mahama describing as uncalled for and inappropriate his “dead
goat syndrome” comments.
The president in a recent visit to Botswana told Ghanaians residents there that workers in Ghana, as part of a strategy, embark on strikes and demonstrations especially during election years to force the hand of government to increase salaries.
Such increases have mostly affected the country's economy in the past, the president indicated.
Likening the situation to what he called "dead-goat syndrome", the President said he would not be hoodwinked by such strategies by workers.
But the labour unions are unhappy with the president's comments.
Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) said they would embark on a strike if government fails to do its work and not even the president's comment will stop them.
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) is also displeased by the President’s comment.
Deputy General Secretary in charge of Administration and Labour Relations, Awotwe Nkansah, said protests by workers must be seen as legitimate means to check leadership.
He said the president’s “mismanagement” of the country has plunged the economy into crisis and if it is only a strike action that can rescue the nation, workers will not relent in doing so.
The General Secretary said it was unfortunate the President made those comments but advised that he should not underestimate the power and influence workers possess.
For a person of his stature, his comments affects a large number of people, therefore extreme caution must be exercised when he speaks in public, Mr Nkansah added.
Such communication flaws by the president, in his view will bring bad relationship between him and the people he governs and that the comments are “marks of an autocratic behavior”.
The president in a recent visit to Botswana told Ghanaians residents there that workers in Ghana, as part of a strategy, embark on strikes and demonstrations especially during election years to force the hand of government to increase salaries.
Such increases have mostly affected the country's economy in the past, the president indicated.
Likening the situation to what he called "dead-goat syndrome", the President said he would not be hoodwinked by such strategies by workers.
But the labour unions are unhappy with the president's comments.
Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) said they would embark on a strike if government fails to do its work and not even the president's comment will stop them.
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) is also displeased by the President’s comment.
Deputy General Secretary in charge of Administration and Labour Relations, Awotwe Nkansah, said protests by workers must be seen as legitimate means to check leadership.
He said the president’s “mismanagement” of the country has plunged the economy into crisis and if it is only a strike action that can rescue the nation, workers will not relent in doing so.
The General Secretary said it was unfortunate the President made those comments but advised that he should not underestimate the power and influence workers possess.
For a person of his stature, his comments affects a large number of people, therefore extreme caution must be exercised when he speaks in public, Mr Nkansah added.
Such communication flaws by the president, in his view will bring bad relationship between him and the people he governs and that the comments are “marks of an autocratic behavior”.
Source: myjoyonline.com
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