The President of the University of Ghana Chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Professor Ransford Gyampo, has urged labor unions to show restraint and acknowledge the economic hardships facing the country, even as they accept what he describes as a “paltry” 10% salary increment.
Speaking on TV3’s The KeyPoints monitored by MyNewsGh, Professor Gyampo emphasized the need for all Ghanaians, including government officials, to demonstrate modesty in response to the prevailing economic difficulties.
“As labour accepts the paltry increment of 10, let us demonstrate modesty, let us show that times are hard and we should all then tighten our belt, let us all demonstrate that times are truly hard,” he stated.
While acknowledging that the increment is far from ideal, he pointed out that previous adjustments had been more substantial.
“Clearly, this [10% increment] is not good enough, it is small. The last we had 23 percent, then increased to 25. I was expecting something more,” he admitted.
Despite the dissatisfaction among labor unions, Professor Gyampo suggested that the presence of President John Dramani Mahama during the negotiations played a role in their acceptance of the offer.
“But if times are difficult and this gets explained properly to labour, and the president himself coming there, then what will you do?” he questioned.
He further acknowledged the disappointment within the labor force but praised their willingness to accept the increment under the circumstances.
“I know that my people are not too happy but I know they were magnanimous in accepting because of the president appearing before the negotiation team,” he added.
