Ghana: Union pledges to build strength through unity and solidarity

The Construction and Building Materials Workers’ Union (CBMWU) on 26 April 2024 held its 12th Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference in Kasoa, Ghana. In the said event, BWI was represented by its Africa and Middle East Regional Representative, Crecentia Mofokeng, Assistant Regional Representative, Garikanai Shoko,  the National Union of Mining Workers’ Union of South Africa, and BWI titular member, Phillip Vilakazi.

Inspired by the conference theme “Organising for Decent Secured Jobs and Enhancing Living Standards for National Development,” Mofokeng called on the union to unite under a common purpose: to stand together in solidarity, resolute in commitment towards change, and to build physical and human-centric structures and pathways toward a brighter future for construction workers in Ghana.

The conference was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Public Works, Ghana TUC, and former CBMWU stalwarts. The CBMWU General Secretary lamented the many challenges faced by construction workers. “We need to address the paradox of a sector that is frequently used by politicians to pay lip service to their work and contributions to nation-building while maintaining decent work deficits," CBMWU General Secretary Richard Asamoah said.

Reporting that it has merged with the Construction and Allied Workers Union (CAWU), CBMWU called on unions to continue to build strength through the promotion of trade union unity and solidarity in the construction sector. It said that it is encouraged to realise a future where every worker is guaranteed not just a job, but a decent and secure livelihood. To achieve this, CBMWU asserted that there is a need to organise for fair wages, safe working conditions, and greater job security.