The Member of Parliament for Twifo Atti Morkwa, David Vondee, has appealed to members of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) to suspend their strike action and return to work while negotiations with the government continue.

Speaking on JoyNews AM Show on Wednesday, March 11, Mr Vondee acknowledged the economic difficulties facing Ghanaian workers but urged public servants to remain patient as the government works to stabilise the economy.

According to the MP, the country’s current economic challenges require collective effort and commitment from both government and workers to restore stability.

“We took this economy from a very difficult position. We are trying to reset it. I know that in this country, the salaries of most workers are not enough for them, but the government is doing everything possible to reset the economy,” he said.

Mr Vondee expressed confidence in the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), emphasising that rebuilding the economy will take time but urging workers to contribute meaningfully during the process.

“It will take time for us to get to where we are supposed to get to. Ghanaian workers have the capacity to contribute to national development if given the opportunity,” he added.

Call for Dialogue and Collaboration

The MP stressed that workers should remain engaged in dialogue with government negotiators rather than withdrawing their services entirely.

“We cannot go home and sit down complaining and expect things to be resolved. Let us be involved. Let us go back to work and continue the conversation. I believe we will get there,” he said.

Mr Vondee also warned that continued strike action could adversely affect ordinary citizens who rely on services delivered by CLOGSAG members.

“The negotiations are between leadership and government, but the people who suffer are ordinary Ghanaians who depend on these services. You are punishing the ordinary Ghanaian who is not responsible for paying your salaries,” he stated.

Illustrating the Impact of Strikes

To explain the effect of strikes, Mr Vondee drew a household analogy, comparing the situation to a student missing lessons due to unpaid school fees.

“If my child does not pay school fees and is sent home, and the class continues for two weeks before the fees are paid, the teacher does not go back to teach everything that the child has missed. If you sit at home on strike and the government later pays you, you cannot go back and redo the work for the days that have already passed,” he explained.

Appeal to Union Leadership

The MP urged CLOGSAG leadership to reconsider their position and demonstrate flexibility as discussions continue with the government.

“The leadership of CLOGSAG should step up. Negotiations will continue, but I appeal to them to go back to work,” he said, adding that dialogue, rather than prolonged industrial action, would better serve the nation’s interests.

While recognising workers’ constitutional right to demand improved conditions of service, Mr Vondee emphasised the importance of constructive engagement over prolonged strikes.

“We have seen strikes many times in this country. It is their right to demand what they want, but we are appealing to them to return to work while discussions continue,” he added.

The industrial action reflects years of frustration over the government’s failure to implement a unique salary structure and improve conditions of service for civil and local government workers.