By Gloria Anderson
The Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) has issued a strong protest against what it describes as unilateral conduct and marginalisation by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) during the 2025 May Day Parade in Accra.
In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Abraham Koomson, the GFL expressed deep disappointment over what it sees as a lack of inclusion, consultation, and transparency at a national event meant to unite the country’s labour front.
- Exclusion from National Labour Discourse
According to the GFL, the speeches delivered by the TUC’s Secretary-General and National Chairman failed to reflect the collective concerns of all organised labour groups. The GFL’s perspectives and contributions were entirely omitted, which the Federation described as “deeply offensive and unacceptable.”
“As a key stakeholder in Ghana’s labour movement, our absence in the conversation reflects a troubling disregard for inclusiveness,” the statement said.
- Chief Justice Controversy Cited Without Consensus
The GFL also criticised remarks made during the parade referencing the ongoing controversy involving the Chief Justice. The Federation insisted that the issue had not been discussed within the leadership of organised labour, and thus public commentary on the matter was “premature, presumptuous, and inconsistent with the principles of due process.” - Unilateral Stance on Galamsey
While affirming its support for the national campaign against illegal mining (galamsey), the GFL stressed that any public recommitment by organised labour must be based on consensus. The Federation warned that politically charged statements made without consultation risk undermining labour’s credibility and exposing the movement to accusations of partisanship. - Exclusion from May Day Programme
The GFL further decried its exclusion from the official May Day programme, noting that it was denied the opportunity to deliver a solidarity message. The event, it claimed, was dominated by TUC representatives whose presentations were “disjointed and uncoordinated.”
Call for Immediate Leadership Meeting
To prevent further fragmentation of organised labour, the GFL is calling for an urgent meeting of the interim Organised Labour Leadership before the end of May 2025. The meeting, it says, should address the stalled unified labour structures and set a course for inclusive and principled collaboration.
“We reaffirm our commitment to unity within the labour movement,” Koomson said. “But we insist that respect, consultation, and transparency must guide our collective actions.”
The protest letter was also copied to Dr. Isaac Bampoe Addo, reinforcing the GFL’s resolve to push for internal dialogue and reform within the labour front.
