CLOGSAG hints of nationwide strike over government interference

The Greater Accra Regional Branch of the Civil and Local Government Service of Ghana (CLOGSAG), has urged the government to stop interfering in their jobs at various ministries.

According to CLOGSAG, its members are ready to go on strike anytime if Ministers at the various ministries continue to intimidate and harass legitimately employed staff. 

Speaking at the public forum in Accra, the Greater Accra Branch Secretary, Samuel Nii Collison said "Whiles we are calling on those affected to take action and correct any anomaly, the Greater Accra branch of CLOGSAG we reiterates its call on the national Secretariat to, as a matter of urgency, convenes a national executive council meeting to declare a nationwide strike if these concerns are not addressed."

We wish to state that the practice of using Special Assistants by Ministers to take over schedules of serving staff within the Civil and Local Government Services is a problem to us -interestingly, these Special Assistants are placed at the helm of affairs and perform functions as bosses over even directors in the services. 

This practice has been pointed out as irregular but does not seem to bother the Ministers involved, the statement said.

BELOW IS THE FULL STATEMENT

PETITION TO THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT TO CONVENE A NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING ON POLITICAL INTERFERENCES IN THE CIVIL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES 

MEETING ON POLITICAL INTERFERENCE IN THE CIVIL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES 

The Greater Regional Branch of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG) has been inundated with calls and reports on how serving officers in the Civil and Local Government Services are being restrained and frustrated in carrying out their mandated functions. 

One may wish to know why we are now agitated about the political interference in the affairs of the Civil and Local Government Services. As a responsible Union/Association we did not jump to make an issue out of this underserved practice but felt that the system would heal itself.  Rather the situation is gradually becoming entrenched with dire consequences, we can no longer look on unconcerned. As workers we are enjoined to work consciously in our lawfully chosen occupation. Thus, any attempt to deny us the Opportunity to fulfill this legal requirement ought to be condemned. 

We wish to state that the practice of using Special Assistants by Ministers to take over schedules of serving staff within the Civil and Local Government Services is a problem to us. -interestingly, these Special Assistants are placed at the helm of affairs and perform functions as bosses over even directors in the services. This practice has been pointed out as irregular but does not seem to bother the Ministers involved.

We are not saying that Special Assistants should not be employed by the Ministers in carrying out their functions. Neither do we hate Special Assistants. All we are saying is that the Ministers should give necessary room for serving officers to operate efficiently. 

We should not be misconstrued as being petty and unwilling to work with Special Assistants where necessary. But consider the situation where Special Assistants are given scholarships/training programmes and attachment, meant for a Ministry to study abroad instead of the serving officers in the Civil Service. Should we keep quiet! No! No! No! because it does not augur well for the Ministry or the nation. 

We also wish to draw the attention of the National Secretariat to a situation where officers posted to a Ministry are expected to await the consent of the Minister before these officers could be assigned. In addition instead of serving officers being given the chance to serve on Boards in order to gain experience and enhance their competence, what do we find? Special Assistants are nominated to serve on Boards and other bodies. The Ministry of Finance cannot extricate itself from this unholy practice. 

We humbly ask the Minister of Finance to reverse the current trend so that serving officers would be made to serve on Boards and other bodies as Board Members. Again, where there are Special Assistants encumbering civil service positions, could we find in coming days the return to the status quo where the structures in the ministry are applied or respected.


Another area that ought to be looked at is ceding core functions of public institutions to private consultancies or companies. Information and data on our members are made available to these consultants without assessing the confidential sections. It is also impugned that confidential information and data in the ministries are sometimes affected. The exposure of confidential information not individuals working in the ministries and ministry itself has serious implications that could cause future embarrassment. 

Whiles we are calling on those affected to take action and correct any anomaly, the Greater Accra  branch of CLOGSAG we reiterates its call on the national Secretariat to, as a matter of urgency, convenes a national executive council meeting to  declare a nationwide strike if these concerns are not addressed 

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, 

We demand action now! 

SAMUEL COLLISON, REGIONAL SECRETARY

Story Filed By: Edzorna Francis Mensah.

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