The acting Managing Director of Blue Gold (FGR/Blue Gold), Yiadom Boakye Amponsah, has warned that the ongoing nationwide strike by members of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) could result in irreversible losses for citizens who rely on government services.

Speaking on JoyNews’ News Desk programme on Tuesday, 10 March, Mr Amponsah emphasised that beyond the labour dispute itself, the shutdown of public services may prevent some Ghanaians from accessing critical opportunities that cannot be recovered once the strike ends.

“But then, assuming somebody needs a birth certificate to manage something very urgently, and then due to the strike it is not handled, what happens?” he asked. “Post the strike, the person cannot go back and do what he or she has to do. He’s lost that opportunity.”

CLOGSAG members began an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday, 9 March, in protest against what the association describes as persistent delays in implementing their agreed conditions of service.

Mr Amponsah noted that the dispute had been developing over several months and should have been addressed earlier through proper industrial engagement between management and the union.

“Industrial social relations are a very fluid activity. You don’t wait till you get into these situations before you decide to act,” he said, stressing that labour concerns must be addressed as soon as they arise.

He further noted that matters relating to salaries and conditions of service are major issues in the labour environment and should not be allowed to escalate to the point where workers withdraw their services.

According to Mr Amponsah, both unions and employers have clear responsibilities in preventing such disruptions. The union must formally raise its concerns, while the employer must take proactive steps to engage and resolve grievances.

“The engagement must first come from the union to indicate what their issues are. And the employer must do whatever is possible to engage and make sure the heat is doused,” he said.

Mr Amponsah revealed that he had been informed of a meeting scheduled for Wednesday aimed at resolving the impasse. He therefore appealed to the union to suspend the strike and participate in dialogue.

“My plea to the union is to stand down, attend the meeting, and then take it from there. Because whatever it is, the matter will be resolved,” he stated.

He also criticised a broader national tendency to overlook the importance of industrial relations in the workplace.

“As a nation, we do not take labour relations seriously. Industrial relations in the work environment is like the oil you put in your car. It’s very important,” he said, adding that institutions should have dedicated offices responsible for maintaining healthy relations between management and workers to prevent disputes from escalating into nationwide disruptions.