The General Secretary of the Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU), Morgan Ayawine, has called for urgent reforms to Ghana’s economic systems, warning that the sacrifices of workers are yet to translate into meaningful improvements in their living conditions.
In his 2026 May Day message to workers across the country, Ayawine acknowledged the resilience of the Ghanaian workforce but questioned why years of hard work have not yielded the expected economic benefits.
“Logically, hard work must produce fruitful results and meet expectations,” he said. “But over the years, the opposite has been the case. This calls for an urgent post-mortem of our economic systems.”
While commending government efforts to stabilize the economy, he stressed that macroeconomic gains must go beyond statistics and reflect in the daily lives of ordinary workers.
“While these gains… are commendable, government must ensure that such improvements translate into a better standard of living for the working class,” he noted, pointing out that many workers continue to struggle with rising costs of rent, utilities, transportation, and food.
Ayawine also urged authorities to prioritize job creation and adopt more sustainable employment strategies.
“Macroeconomic stability alone does not guarantee sustainable livelihoods,” he said. “We need diversified strategies that create jobs and improve livelihoods for workers and their families.”
Despite the challenges, the ICU boss reaffirmed the commitment of workers to national development.
“We, as workers, pledge to continue to sacrifice and work harder,” he stated. “However, the onus lies on the managers of the economy to deliver… and bring sustainable relief to Ghanaians.”
He also addressed concerns about labour practices in the country, cautioning employers against exploiting workers through casualization and outsourcing.
“Employers who remain indifferent to the suffering of workers and engage in unfair labour practices… must desist and ensure fairness and equity,” Ayawine warned. “So-called contract workers often perform the same duties as permanent staff and deserve equal treatment.”
At the same time, he expressed appreciation to employers who have shown understanding and worked collaboratively with labour unions to ease the burden on workers.
As Ghana marks International Workers’ Day, Ayawine encouraged workers not to lose hope despite current economic hardships.
“I encourage all workers not to despair, but to remain courageous and resilient,” he said. “There is always a silver lining at the end of every tunnel.”
He concluded by saluting Ghanaian workers for their perseverance and dedication to national development.
“Stay strong and press on,” he urged. “Solidarity forever.”
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