Tema: Mr Morgan Ayawine, the General Secretary of the Industrial and Workers' Union (ICU-Ghana), has advised the youth to avoid social vices that could hinder their future progression. He emphasized the crucial role young people play in national development, noting that workplace environments expect them to contribute productively to operations.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Ayawine shared these insights at the 6th National Youth Quadrennial Delegates' Conference of ICU-Ghana, held in Tema, Greater Accra. The conference, themed 'Enhancing Productivity at the Workplace: The Role of Young Workers,' serves as a platform for reviewing the activities of the National Youth Committee over the past four years and for reconstituting the National Youth Executive for the upcoming quadrennial. This event also sets the stage for the 12th Quadrennial Delegates' Conference of the National Union.
The General Secretary highlighted the Union's objective to nurture young people to assume productive and responsible roles in national development. He noted that the Union's education department is fully equipped to mentor youth through various trade union training and retraining programs. Mr Ayawine encouraged young individuals to participate in these programs to enhance their knowledge and skills amidst the complexities of the modern work environment.
Furthermore, Mr Ayawine appealed to the government to create favorable conditions for businesses and industries to generate sustainable jobs for the unemployed youth. "Once we have the majority of our youth in gainful employment, the national economy will witness a quick turnaround that ensures massive development of our country," he stated.
Ms Samuella Amofa Birago, the newly elected ICU National Youth President, emphasized the importance of the conference theme, urging young workers to be intentional about their contributions to workplace productivity, innovation, and growth. "We, the young workers, are not just the future-we are the present. We bring energy, creativity, adaptability, and fresh perspectives that are critical to driving performance and sustaining growth," she remarked. She expressed gratitude to the delegates for their confidence in the new executive and commended the national management of the Union for their exceptional leadership.
Mrs Esinam Afua Poku, Head of Youth and Gender Desk of ICU, commented on the desk's achievements over the past four years, citing numerous programs and advocacy initiatives aimed at enhancing the participation of women and young people in decision-making, capacity building, leadership development, and social transformation. These efforts are grounded in the core values of inclusion, equality, and sustainable progress.
The newly elected executives include Mr Alabira M. Habib as Vice Chairperson, Ms Dorothy Agbedomo as Secretary, Mr Afreh Poku as Assistant Secretary, and Mr Raymond Adjei Ako as an executive member.