The Upper East Regional branch of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) met with the newly appointed Regional Minister, Akamugri Donatus Atanga, on Monday, March 3, 2025, pledging collaboration while urging action on critical challenges facing public-sector workers, including staff attrition, inadequate resources, and poor working conditions.
During the meeting, union representatives highlighted sector-specific grievances.
Abeaba Mathew Abereniya of the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) raised alarm over the “deeply concerning” exodus of non-teaching staff in education offices, citing “demoralizing” infrastructure at regional and municipal education directorates.
Health sector raised issues with understaffing, with the Union of Professional Nurses and Midwives (UPNMG) noting a shortage of nurses and midwives that has “severely impacted healthcare delivery.”
The union’s representative, Apandage Mohamadu Musah, linked the attrition to “ill-treatment” of workers, prompting many to seek transfers to other regions.
Meanwhile, the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) highlighted logistical gaps at district and municipal assemblies, stating that despite staff readiness to support governance, “many lack basic tools to execute mandates.”
In response, the Minister, Mr. Akamugri thanked Organized Lanour for agreeing to a 10% salary increase for public workers this year, a move he said granted the government “breathing fiscal space” to stabilize national finances.
He vowed transparency in the management of the country’s finances, pledging salary hikes “to desirable levels” once economic conditions improve.
Addressing specific concerns, the Minister committed to prioritizing educational infrastructure, including furniture shortages, as part of President John Mahama’s broader education reforms.
He also pledged to “work assiduously” to resolve staffing deficits and invited further dialogue with unions.
Hon. Akamugri reiterated the governing National Democratic Congress’ alignment with workers’ interests, asserting it “will be the last to see workers suffer.”
