The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, has given firm assurances that the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) is actively implementing measures to ensure the safety and protection of workers in the conflict-prone Bawku municipality.
Speaking at the May Day celebrations held at Jubilee Park in Bolgatanga, the Minister, who also serves as the REGSEC Chair, addressed growing concerns over the welfare of public sector workers in Bawku, where a long-standing ethnic conflict between the Kusasis and Mamprusis has caused widespread displacement, fear, and loss of life.
“As REGSEC Chairman, I want to assure you that we have put in place measures to ensure that workers in Bawku are protected,” the Minister stated. “Any worker being threatened should draw the attention of REGSEC, and we will provide the necessary security for you to continue delivering the services deserved by the people of Bawku.”
The minister urged workers not to abandon their posts in Bawku, emphasizing that doing so would jeopardize the future of children and youth in the area who rely on critical services such as healthcare and education.
“We call on you not to desert the place. If you leave, we risk the future of the youth and the children. We will make sure you are safe,” he reassured.
Mr. Atanga acknowledged that the Bawku conflict, ongoing for more than four years, has claimed lives, displaced countless families, and disrupted essential services in the area. He reiterated the government’s commitment to resolving the crisis, highlighting the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II-led mediation effort aimed at restoring peace.
“The resolution of the conflict is of utmost importance to His Excellency the President and the Regional Security Council,” he emphasized.
The minister’s remarks come as the Bawku area continues to struggle under sporadic gunfire and violence linked to the chieftaincy dispute, leaving many civil servants including teachers, health workers, and administrators fearful for their lives.
Beyond the issue of security, Mr. Atanga also used the occasion to call for greater discipline and ethical conduct among Ghanaian workers. He expressed concern about the growing breakdown of professionalism, citing influences such as materialism, poor training, and substance abuse.
“It is expected that the TUC and labour unions would ensure that workers adhere to their professional ethics and positively contribute their quota to national development through improved productivity,” he stated.
The Regional Minister paid glowing tribute to Ghanaian workers, especially those who have served with distinction under difficult conditions, and others who lost their lives in the line of duty.
“The task of nation-building is a shared responsibility. Let us reflect and reset to transform the Upper East Region into a hub of innovation, peace, and prosperity,” he concluded.
The May Day celebration, observed under the theme “Resetting Pay and Working Conditions: The Role of Stakeholders”, brought together union leaders, workers from both public and private sectors, and government officials to honour the sacrifices of workers and chart a new path for equitable labour relations and peacebuilding efforts in the region.
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