Govt, PSWU sign 3 conditions of service agreements

The government has signed three comprehensive agreements with three workers’ associations to improve their conditions of service.

The three are the Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) chapters of the Government and Hospital Pharmacists’ Association (GHOSPA), the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC).

The pacts, signed separately with the three associations to improve working conditions and address long-standing concerns, were sealed at negotiation meetings held last Friday (October 25, 2024).

Commitment

The Chief Executive of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), Benjamin Arthur, who represented the government, said, “these agreements demonstrate our commitment to fostering a harmonious and productive working relationship with our public sector workers.”

He indicated that “the agreements were significant milestones for the members of the various workers associations and showed the government’s willingness to address their concerns.”

Mr Arthur said the agreement with the GAEC demonstrated the government’s commitment to recognising the commission’s crucial role in the country’s scientific advancement.

Calls for early implementation

The PSWU General Secretary, Bernard Adjei, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the negotiations concerning the union’s members, stating that “we are pleased that our efforts have yielded tangible results. We have made some compromises, and we look forward to the necessary approval for implementation to start’’.

Mr Adjei said although negotiations had been fruitful, the government should expedite the implementation process to enable workers to benefit from the outcomes.

The Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Kathleen Addy, expressed satisfaction with their agreement. “We are happy to have concluded this negotiation.

It is a relief and it will boost morale and enhance our ability to promote civic education,” she said.

She added that with a motivated team, the commission could better achieve its goals such as enhancing civic awareness, promoting good governance and fostering community engagement.

The NCCE, Ms Addy said, played a vital role in promoting and sustaining democracy in the country through civic education.

The Deputy Director-General of GAEC, Professor Dickson Adomako, acknowledged the government’s efforts in recognising the vital contributions of GAEC workers to Ghana’s scientific research and development.

He emphasised that collaborations and innovations at the local and international levels were essential to transforming Ghana’s healthcare sector.

Prof. Adomako expressed gratitude to the government and the FWSC for their support.

A consultant for GHOSPA, Mr George Smith Graham, before the negotiations, expressed the hope that the negotiation would end well “for GHOSPA members to smile broadly.”

The National Chairman of GHOSPA, Dr Emmanuel Owusu Owiafe, said members of the association were dedicated to quality patient care and looked forward to working closely with the government to implement the agreement.

He said there was the need to significantly improve pharmaceutical services and ensure patients received the best possible care.