Accra has hosted the launching of a trade union development project with BWI and IndustriEnergi named “Innovative unionism for strengthening the wood and furniture industry in Ghana”. The workshop was held on 13-15 March 2018.
This planning workshop helped BWI and its partner IndustriEnergi to provide to Timber and Woodworkers' Union members political and technical direction and guidelines to implement the project. It has been a platform to explain the BWI strategic plan 2018-2021 and liaise on the project objectives and expected results.
Ole-Kristian Paulsen from IndustriEnergi was satisfied with the pilot project implemented in 2017 and will follow step by step the implementation of this two-year project focusing on “Innovative unionism for strengthening the wood and furniture industry in Ghana” including youth and women organizing and better working conditions through new collective bargaining agreements. Through this project the union is expecting to recruit more than 1,000 new members and sign at least five new collective bargaining agreements.
IndustriEnergi used the opportunity to give highlights on the political and trade union development in Norway and meet trade unions in Ghana for future cooperation.
Some knowledge on project management cycle and communication have been shared and the work plan for 2018 has been adopted.
The project planning workshop in Ghana included two site visits at Trasacco valley Furniture Company and at the informal wood carvers centre in Aburi.