Members of the Tema regional office of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) have hit the streets to protest what they say is the high cost of living in the country.

According to Joy News' Kwakye Afreh Nuamah, the over 500 workers are demonstrating to bring government’s attention to the over – whelming crisis confronting businesses, resulting in incredibly low productivity and some cases, total shut down of some businesses.

Over 4,000 could be lost if nothing is done about the present economic hardship, Afreh reported the workers as saying.

Earlier, the Tema Regional Manager of ICU Eleazer Nyaunu told Joy News "the state of the economy is a threat not only to jobs but industries”.

This demonstration is ahead of the nationwide strike by Organized Labour on Thursday, July 24, in protest of the worsening economic conditions in the country.

However, Mr. Nyaunu insisted that the demonstration was separate from that of Organized Labour but declined to comment on whether the Tema ICU will be taking part in it.

Meanwhile Public Relations Officer of the Tema police ASP Olivia Turkson has said the police will provide adequate security for the demonstrators and prevent lawlessness during the protest.

She said the “Motor Transport and Traffic Unit (MTTU), will be available to control traffic while uniformed personnel will be available to prevent anyone from taking advantage of the protest to cause damage to private and public property”.

She advised protestors to adhere to laws pertaining to demonstrations in the country.

   

Oduman poor roads

At Oduman near Ablekuma in the Ga Central Municipal Assebly in Accra, residents there are angry at the apparent neglect of work on roads leading to the area by authorities concerned.

They burnt lorry tyres and blocked the road causing vehicular traffic early Monday.

Acording to Joy News' Manasseh Azure Awuni, police reinforcement had to be called in to restore law and order as the situation went beyond control at a point.