THE Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU-Ghana) has called for the protection and preservation of the Volta Aluminium Company Limited (VALCO) as a national asset.
It said the union had consistently opposed and would continue to oppose any attempt to undermine VALCO’s indigenous status as a wholly owned Ghanaian company through the introduction of foreign equity.
“VALCO is a strategic national asset of which we are immensely proud. Not even the smallest fraction of it should be ceded to local or foreign interests through equity participation.
Recapitalise
“VALCO belongs to the people of Ghana, and the government, as their representative, must explore all lawful means to recapitalise the company without resorting to equity divestment, which we consider inimical to the national interest,” the General Secretary of ICU-Ghana, Morgan Ayawine, said in an address read on his behalf by the Deputy General Secretary (Operations), Emmanuel Baah Benimah, at the inauguration of the Local Union Executives of VALCO.
The newly-elected executive members are Samuel Watchman Agyeman, Chairman; Uel Uzziel Matekole, Vice President; David Kwabena Yeboah, Secretary; James Appiah, Assistant Secretary and Joseph Agbanyo, First Trustee.
The rest are Nii Okai Tagoe, Second Trustee; Joseph Atsu Damalie, Executive member; Frank Annang, Youth Representative; Gifty Nyanful, Women Representative and Mark Spears Tetteh, Chief Shop Steward.
Mr Ayawine said it was worth noting that VALCO’s current operational challenges were not new and can be overcome if the government takes decisive action.
Asset
“A strategic asset such as VALCO must be protected and preserved—not only in the national interest but also for future generations. It must not be relinquished under the guise of equity participation. With the current Management’s initiatives, VALCO holds a promising future, provided the Government plays its part through adequate financial support,” he said.
The ICU General Secretary said the time had come for Ghana to strengthen its ownership of national assets and move away from reliance on royalties, which often represent only a fraction of the true value of such assets.
“Let us also reflect on the VALCO of the Kaiser era—learn from its successes, draw inspiration from its achievements, and commit ourselves to rebuilding VALCO to that enviable standard as part of our national heritage.”
“As we observe our heritage month, let us embrace this responsibility wholeheartedly,” he said.
Regrettably, in the past, Mr Ayawine said: “We hastily disposed of valuable and productive national assets. Today, we are confronted with the consequences—most notably, high unemployment due to the decline of our industrial base”.
Management
He, therefore, called on management to support the effort to protect and preserve this strategic asset and not sacrifice it for short-term convenience.
That, he said, was a just and urgent cause, and “I urge all stakeholders to support it.
“To the newly elected Local Union Executives: I urge you to be circumspect in the discharge of your duties as Trade Union Officers representing ICU-Ghana within the plant.”
“Do not act in ways that the National Union would not endorse. We stand for fairness, justice, and industrial harmony. In essence, do not do to Management what you would not expect Management to do to you,” he said, and to management, “let us remain measured and constructive in our engagement with workers”.
Industrial democracy, Mr Ayawine said, placed a shared responsibility on all to resolve workplace issues through dialogue.
“I encourage both Management and the Union to rely on this effective tool in addressing disputes. As a human institution, disagreements are inevitable—but they must be managed with wisdom and mutual respect,” he said.
Mr Ayawine assured the executive of the union’s unwavering support in the discharge of their mandate, “It is equally important that you consult the national union on matters where necessary,” he said.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh