Dr. Abraham Koomson, Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), has accused top officials of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) of delivering politically charged speeches during the 2025 May Day celebrations held in Accra on May 1.
In an interview with Accra-based TV3, Dr. Koomson claimed the remarks made by the TUC Secretary-General and National Chairman did not represent the collective concerns of all stakeholders within organised labour, particularly the GFL. He strongly objected to comments made by TUC leaders regarding the controversy surrounding the Chief Justice, stating that no such issue had been discussed or agreed upon by the broader labour leadership.
“To issue such a public pronouncement without thorough legal consultation was premature, presumptuous, and inconsistent with the principles of due process,” Dr. Koomson reiterated.
He criticized the TUC’s statement on illegal mining as lacking a unified agreement and being politically motivated, citing its position on a planned protest against the issue.
Prior to a phone interview with the GFL’s Secretary-General, the federation had already expressed its disapproval in a letter dated May 1, 2025, strongly protesting the TUC leadership’s actions.
The GFL described the TUC’s treatment of its members and executives during this year’s May Day Parade in Accra as unilateral and disrespectful.
In a letter to the TUC Secretary-General, the GFL expressed that it was “deeply offended and disappointed” by its exclusion from the official programme and the absence of consultation on key matters discussed at the event, including remarks about the Chief Justice and illegal mining.
“Any recommitment by organised labour to that cause must be thoroughly discussed and agreed upon through collective leadership. The uncoordinated remarks… risk being interpreted as politically inciting,” portion of the statement read.
The GFL also objected to its complete exclusion from the event’s speaking programme, criticizing the ceremony as being dominated by “disjointed” TUC presentations that, in its view, failed to reflect the unity of the broader labour movement.
In response to deepening divisions within organised labour, the GFL is calling for an urgent meeting of interim labour leaders before the end of May 2025.
“This meeting must address the current state of the stalled Organised Labour structures and outline a path toward inclusive, transparent, and principled collaboration,” the letter stated.
While reaffirming its commitment to unity within the labour front, the GFL emphasized that all future joint actions must be grounded in mutual respect, consultation, and transparency.
