BY Issah Olegor
Tensions between organised labour and government have escalated as members of the Railway Workers Union staged a protest at the forecourt of the Ministry of Transport Ghana, demanding the settlement of long-standing salary arrears and improved conditions of service.
The demonstration, marked by placards and chants, reflects deepening frustrations among railway employees who say months of engagement with authorities have yielded little progress. At the centre of the protest is a backlog of unpaid 14th-month salaries, which workers insist has become unbearable.
According to union leadership, the situation has reached a breaking point after what they describe as repeated promises without tangible outcomes.
The workers argue that while partial payments have been made, a significant portion of arrears remains outstanding.
Speaking during the protest, union representatives disclosed that the salary arrears initially stood at 18 months but only four months have been paid so far, leaving nearly 14 months still unpaid.
“We are embarking on this protest because of the salary issues. It has been back and forth and promise upon promise. We are not happy with what the ministry or the government is doing to the workers,” a union leader stated.
The leadership further alleged that government officials have indicated that there are currently no available funds to clear the remaining arrears, a claim that has intensified anger among workers already grappling with economic pressures.
In a sharp criticism of the sector minister, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, popularly known as ‘Okada Minister’ the union accused him of sidelining their concerns while engaging other stakeholders within the ministry.
According to the workers, their exclusion from key discussions signals a broader pattern of neglect and disregard for their welfare.
Beyond salary concerns, the union also highlighted structural challenges within the railway sector, pointing to ageing infrastructure and obsolete equipment. They revealed that discussions had previously been held on the possibility of auctioning outdated railway materials—some reportedly over 110 years old—as a means of raising funds to support the sector.
“We all sat down and concluded that since there are obsolete items at the railway… what has to be done is that the President approves that they auction those items because they can never be used again,” the union leader explained.
