ORGANISED LABOUR MAY DAY STATEMENT READ BY JOSHUA ANSAH, SECRETARY GENERAL OF TRADES UNION CONGRESS (GHANA) AT THE 2026 NATIONAL MAY DAY PARADE HELD IN KOFORIDUA IN THE EASTERN REGION 1ST MAY
Theme: Pivoting to Growth, Jobs, and Livelihoods Beyond Macroeconomic Stability
In his May Day address, Mr. Joshua Ansah, Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (Ghana), delivered a stark assessment of Ghana’s employment crisis while calling for a fundamental shift in economic priorities.
Key Points from the Speech:
Employment Crisis: Decent work remains one of Ghana’s most significant problems. Youth unemployment stands at 34%, with nearly 80% of employed people in informal work. Many university graduates wait 5+ years for their first job. The recent 500,000+ applications for security service recruitment highlights the magnitude of the crisis.
Failure of Neoliberal Policy: For four decades, economic policy has prioritised GDP growth and macroeconomic stability (low inflation, stable exchange rate) under the assumption that this automatically creates jobs. That assumption has proven wrong. Growth has not translated into quality employment.
Need for Structural Transformation: Ghana must move beyond raw material exports and aid. The country needs to manufacture goods, process agro-products, and produce what it consumes. Current trade policy rewards imports and punishes domestic production.
Private Sector Support: Government must actively support the private sector, lower interest rates (by capping the lending-deposit spread), and secure long-term patient capital for local enterprises.
Low Pay & Living Wage: The minimum wage is GHS21.78/day (GHS588/month). The lowest public sector pay is GHS809/month (~US$75). Organised labour calls for a living wage that meets basic needs.
Pension Reform: Pension coverage is below one-fifth of eligible population. Some pensioners receive less than GHS500/month while others receive over GHS200,000. Labour demands pension unification and a national stakeholder engagement.
Labour Rights Abuses: Rising victimisation of workers who form unions, misuse of redundancy, and exploitative employment agencies that leave workers in legal limbo. Politicisation of public sector promotions and transfers is condemned.
Galamsey (Illegal Mining): While the government revoked L12462 (mining in forest reserves), mining continues. Labour urges a final onslaught on galamsey to save Ghana’s water bodies and forests.
Specific Appeals: Employ or pay young nurses and teachers; strengthen BOST and TOR for energy sovereignty; assist COCOBOD to buy the cocoa stockpile after the first producer price reduction in living memory.
Closing Message: Macroeconomic stability alone is incomplete. Ghana needs stability that creates quality jobs, raises incomes, and builds sustainable livelihoods. May Day 2026 should mark the start of an honest national conversation on jobs and livelihoods.
