Workers jab Akufo-Addo as they demo against the proposed 4% salary increment
The workers who hit the principal streets of Accra to demonstrate the 4% proposed increment in their salaries described President Akufo-Addo for being an irresponsible President of the nation.
Joana Somiah 
Thousands of ‘Aggrieved Public Sector Workers’ have launched a scathing attack at President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for looking unconcerned to improve the generally poor working conditions of service for the public sector workers in the country.
The public sector workers are angry at President Akufo-Addo over what they described as poor conditions of service and the generally high cost of living in the country under his administration.
The workers who hit the principal streets of Accra to demonstrate the 4% proposed increment in their salaries described President Akufo-Addo for being an irresponsible President of the nation.
Some public sectors workers who are part of the ‘Aggrieved Public Sector Workers’ have today, Wednesday, August 18, 2021, hit the streets to register their anger against the proposed 4% salary increment by the government for them.
Instead of a 4% increment, the group wants public sector salaries increased by 25%.
The demonstration commenced from Obra Spot through Kwame Nkrumah Avenue towards Fariso Traffic Light to Cedi House through to AU Roundabout and would end at the Independence Square.
However, some of the placards carried by the protesters read in part; " Don't Change Your Name From Incorruptible To Mr President, Akufo-Addo Is The Bad Manager of our economy, among others.
Speaking to journalists, the aggrieved public sector workers registered their displeasure over what they describe as poor conditions of service.
"We are against the 4% and 7% base pay increase proposed by the government for public sector workers for 2021 and 2022 respectively.
In addition, the national minimum wage was increased by 6 per cent for 2021 and 8 per cent for 2022.
The group wanted public sector salaries to be increased by 25% instead.
The protest began from the Obra Spot in Accra, and it is expected to end at Independence Square.
The leader of the group, Norbert Gborgbortsi, said, “no one was sponsored to be here. We all came here because we are aggrieved.
This is just to show the government that we have the numbers. This is just the beginning. If the government does not respond to our petition earlier presented with the week, they will hear more of us.”
A protester who claimed he joined from the Upper East Region, Ishmael Twum, insisted that they are not going to settle for any excuse from the government.
“The four per cent increment is about GH¢20 to GH¢40. What can this do for us? How can they improve on the conditions of service of Article 71 holders and leave us behind.”
“Government cannot pin this unfair treatment on the current economic conditions. In which country are the Article 71 holders?” he quizzed.
TUC urges calm amid agitation over a base pay increase for 2021 and 2022
The Trades Union Congress has urged unions upset with the base pay increments for public sector workers for 2021 and 2022 to exerciser restraint.
At a press conference by Organised Labour on July 26, 2021, Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress, Dr Yaw Baah, said the base pay increase of 4 per cent for 2021 and 7 per cent for 2022 could have been worse.
Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu Greater Accra Regional Correspondent
