President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) University of Ghana chapter, Professor Ransford Gyampo has stated that labour unions will consider “hunger and anger” when casting their votes in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
This statement comes after former President John Mahama requested a ‘honeymoon’ period if he wins the election, asking trade and labour groups to allow him some time to implement necessary measures.
Prof. Gyampo criticized the extravagant lifestyles of current leaders and indicated that achieving the ‘honeymoon’ appeal would be impossible if such a lifestyle persists.
He stressed the importance of addressing labour conditions, regardless of the election outcome.
During an interview with Joy News, Prof. Gyampo suggested that reducing the lavish lifestyles of politicians could gain more support from labour unions.
He emphasized that the next president should consider sacrificing or minimizing the luxuries enjoyed by today’s politicians to meet labor halfway.
“Labour will vote based on hunger and anger. Whoever emerges victorious must do something, I’m telling you. If the kind of luxury the politicians of today enjoy or live in is sacrificed or reduced a little, you can meet labour halfway through,” he stated.
Prof. Gyampo proposed implementing stringent economic policies aimed at reducing the government’s budget deficit, impacting everyone in the country, including the less privileged.
“Let the austerity measures be implemented such that they affect everybody from the presidency level to the daily-rated employee of the land. If we all are made to go through the austerity measures, then if the leader says tighten your belt and we see the leader has tightened his belt, we will all follow suit,” he added.
