The National Labour Commission (NLC) has directed workers of the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) to halt their ongoing strike action, initiated on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
The strike is in protest against the National Roads Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1118), which seeks to merge the GHA with the Department of Urban Roads and the Department of Feeder Roads.
Concerns over autonomy and bureaucracy
GHA workers argue that this merger threatens the Authority’s operational autonomy, potentially adding layers of bureaucratic inefficiency.
They contend that the merger could impede their ability to effectively address critical infrastructure needs within the road sector.
Demands for leadership change
At the core of the dispute is a call for the removal of two top officials, Ing. I.K. Mensah, Chairman of the GHA Board, and Ing. Collins B. Donkor, CEO of the National Roads Authority (NRA). Workers allege that these officials played roles in decisions that could undermine the sector’s integrity, expressing a lack of confidence in their leadership amid the restructuring.
Petition for broader consultation
In an appeal to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, GHA workers called for more extensive consultations before implementing the Act, hoping to address concerns and gain assurances about the future of their organization.
NLC’s directive to resume work
Following a meeting with both parties, the NLC noted procedural issues with the strike. According to the NLC, GHA workers did not adhere to the Labour Act, 2023 (Act 651) in initiating industrial action.
The Commission has directed GHA workers to suspend their strike immediately, advising them to follow the necessary legal procedures for industrial action.
The NLC’s intervention underscores the need for adherence to legal processes, as well as further negotiation and dialogue to address the concerns raised.
As discussions proceed, workers and stakeholders await a resolution that balances the efficiency goals of the new Act with the operational integrity of the GHA.
