Story by Paul Mensah Nsor
The Railway Workers Union of Ghana has intensified protests at the Ministry of Transport, demanding payment of 13 months' salary arrears. Union leaders claim that GH₵20.6 million from the sale of obsolete railway assets, conducted under a presidential directive, remains locked in the Ministry of Finance's ATR account, despite being earmarked for outstanding wages.
The union says the funds should cover roughly 10 months of the 13 months owed, but no payments have been made. Union representatives accuse the Ministry of Transport of neglecting the railway sector and refusing dialogue. The Labour Commission has been engaged, with a resolution expected by April.
Speaking during a protest at the Ministry of Transport, Bro. Benjamin Essuman, General Secretary of the Railway Workers Union, urged the immediate release of 20.6 million Ghana cedis from the ATR account to settle long-overdue wages.
“The sale of obsolete railway assets was conducted under a presidential directive and those proceeds were deposited to the Finance Ministry’s ATR account to clear outstanding salaries,” Bro. Essuman said at the demonstration, adding that the funds should cover roughly 10 of the 13 months owed to members. “Our members are suffering severe hardship, including reported deaths in workers’ families, and cannot wait any longer.”
The union accuses the Ministry of Transport of neglecting the sector and ignoring repeated requests for dialogue. It also says subpoenas from the Labour Commission to the Ministries of Finance and Transport went unheeded. The union warned it will escalate action if funds are not released promptly, including continued peaceful demonstrations, legal action, and claims for interest on delayed payments.
A government representative at the meeting acknowledged the issue and said the process to release the funds has begun, with a response from the Ministry of Finance expected by the end of next week. The Labour Commission is working toward resolving the dispute by the end of April.
The union plans to reconvene with the Minister of Transport by Tuesday or Wednesday for a definitive update. “We remain prepared to pursue all lawful avenues to secure what is owed to our members,” Bro. Essuman said, calling on the President and relevant ministries to ensure prompt payment and accountability.
The Ministry of Transport has confirmed that proceeds from the sale of obsolete railway scrap have been deposited into the consolidated fund, but payments to affected workers remain pending until formal authorization is received from the Ministry of Finance.
William Kartey, Chief Director addressing protesting workers, said a task force was formed to identify and sell redundant railway materials and that the proceeds were paid into the consolidated fund as agreed. He explained that government financial procedures require a letter and warrant from the Ministry of Finance to credit accounts before disbursements can be made by the Ministry of Transport.
“We have completed the sale and forwarded all documentation to the Ministry of Finance,” Kartey said, noting ongoing communication with the workers’ secretary and follow-up actions with relevant agencies. He told the crowd that while the Ministry of Transport does not currently hold funds to pay the workers, the necessary steps to secure Ministerial approval are underway.
Kartey added that officials met with the Labour Commission and were given until the end of April to resolve the matter. He expressed confidence the issue would be resolved before that deadline and urged patience as administrative processes proceed.
The Ministry of Transport is monitoring the situation and will notify stakeholders once the Ministry of Finance issues the letter and warrant confirming account credits. Meanwhile, workers and their representatives continue to press for timely payment.
