The newly elected chairman of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Bernard Owusu, has pledged to implement radical changes to address what he describes as the current weak and unresponsive state of the organisation.

Mr Owusu secured 347 votes in a decisive victory over incumbent Alex Opoku-Nyarko at the TUC’s quadrennial congress held at the Pentecost Convention Centre at Kasoa in the Central Region.

He pledged a transformative approach focused on safeguarding workers’ rights.

“The current leadership, they have done their bit but I think it is time we change and move on. The TUC as it stands today is weak and the reason being that, as TUC, there are a lot of things that are happening that I think should have been done better. Currently, we got to the negotiation table to beg. I believe that radicalism and social dialogue is the game. I believe that we can do more and better.”

“We are living in a time of economic uncertainty where workers are under increasing pressure and gaps between the rich and poor continue to widen. Our fight is far from over. As the TUC chairman, I pledge to lead with integrity, transparency and deep commitment to the principles that have guided our union. I will make sure that the voices of workers are heard and that their rights are protected,” he said.

The new Deputy Secretary General, Joshua Ansah, called for unity among TUC members, stating that strength lies in solidarity.

“Let us all put what has happened behind us and unite our front. I am calling for unity because in unity lies strength. Let us leverage the unity that we have and ensure that we do what is expected of us. Unity is what we are calling for and I have no doubt that when we unite, we can eradicate or reduce the problems facing workers,” he said.

Source: Emmanuella Sarfo-Ntow