The Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG)
There seems to be a crack in the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG), as its strike over the appointment of Samuel Adom Botchway as the Registrar of the Births and Deaths Registry.
The Local Government Service Workers’ Union (LGSWU) has announced its decision not to take part in the strike action.
In a statement sighted by GhanaWeb, the service indicated that it made the decision not to take part in the strike because it was unnecessary at the moment.
It indicated that the appointment of the Registrar of the Births and Deaths Registry in 2022 is still being challenged in court and the only way to resolve the current impact is through negotiation and further engagement.
“It is important to recall that in 2022, CLOGSAG filed a suit at the High Court, challenging the appointment of Mrs Henrietta Lamptey as Registrar of the Births and Deaths Registry. The High Court is yet to deliver judgment in that case and as a Union, we believe that until its final determination, negotiations and further engagements can help resolve the current concerns raised in the appointment of the Registrar.
“For these reasons and upon further consultations by the National Management Committee with all Regional Councils, the Local Government Service Workers’ Union of TUC has taken a unanimous decision not to join this strike action and we hereby strongly urge all members and staff across the various MMDAS, RCCs, and OIILGS to continue with work as normal,” parts of the statement which was issued read.
The service added that its focus now is on improving the working conditions of its members.
“Comrades, the needs of our members and staff of the Local Government Service nationwide are clear and urgent: 1. The fight for an Enhanced Salary Structure for staff of the Local Government Service. 2. Unabated fight for better working conditions for staff of the Local Government Service.
“We will as a Union continue to prioritize and put our energies into advocating for an equitable and enhanced salary structure tangible gains that will benefit every worker under the Local Government Service. Together, let us conserve and channel our efforts toward the battles ahead,” the statement concluded.
Background:
The Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG), embarked on a nationwide strike effective Thursday, February 20, 2025.
This action is in response to the appointment of Samuel Adom Botchway as the Registrar of the Births and Deaths Registry. The Association asserts that Botchway is a politically exposed person and, therefore, unfit for the position.
In a press release dated February 13, 2025, the Executive Secretary of the Association, Isaac Bampoe Addo, revealed that the decision was made during a meeting of CLOGSAG’s National Executive Council (NEC) on February 11, 2025.
The statement read: “The National Executive Council (NEC) decided that should Mr. Samuel Adom Botchway assume office as Registrar of the Births and Deaths Registry, CLOGSAG should declare a nationwide strike.
“Mr. Samuel Adom Botchway took office on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. The Association has no option but to call for a nationwide strike from Thursday, February 20, 2025,
“We call on CLOGSAG members to stay at home from Thursday, February 20, 2025, until further notice,” it concluded.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, has defended the appointment of Samuel Adom Botchway as the Registrar of Births and Deaths, stating that his appointment is in line with the constitution.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, February 19, at the Jubilee House, Ofosu Kwakye explained, “The laws governing that entity clearly specify who should make the appointment. It states that it is the president, and the president has acted in line with the 1992 Constitution.”
He further noted, “Section 236 of the Constitution stipulates that, in appointing a person as the registrar, the president must consider the relevant academic qualifications, experience, and knowledge of that person in civil service administration. The registrar shall hold office on the terms and conditions specified in the letter of appointment.”
BAI/AE
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