ICU-Ghana advises youth against social vices

Mr Morgan Ayawine, the General Secretary of the Industrial and Workers’ Union (ICU-Ghana), has advised the youth to avoid social vices that would negatively affect their future progression.

He said the youth played a pivotal role in national development and that every workplace environment would hold them accountable for the productive outcomes of their operations.

Mr Ayawine gave the advice at the 6th National Youth Quinquennial Delegates’ Conference of ICU-Ghana in Tema in Greater Accra.

It is on the theme: “Enhancing Productivity at the Workplace: The Role of Young Workers”.

The conference serves as a forum for stock-taking on the activities of the National Youth Committee for the past four years and the reconstitution of the National Youth Executive for the ensuing quadrennial.

The conference is also a prelude to the 12th Quadrennial

Delegates’ Conference of the National Union.

The General Secretary said one of the main objectives of the Union was to nurture and groom the youth to play productive and responsible roles for national development.

“It is for this reason that the Union has a full-fledged education department with capable human resources to shape or mentor our youth through different forms of trade union training and retraining programmes,” he said.

He urged the youth to avail themselves of training programmes to broaden their knowledge and skills in trade unionism and the world of work amidst its complexities. 

Mr Ayawine appealed to the government to create the enabling environment for businesses and industry within the public and private sectors to create sustainable jobs to absorb the teeming 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 said.

Ms Samuella Amofa Birago, the newly elected ICU National Youth President, underscored the importance of the theme to be more intentional about their contributions to productivity, innovation, and progress in the workplace.

“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 said.

She commended the delegates for the confidence reposed in the new executive of the Union and the national management of the Union for their exceptional leadership.

Mrs Esinam Afua Poku, Head of Youth and Gender Desk of ICU, said over the past four years, the desk had implemented numerous programmes and advocacy initiatives aimed at strengthening the participation of women and young people in decision-making, capacity building, leadership development, and social transformation. 

These efforts were grounded in the core values of inclusion, equality, and sustainable progress.

The other executives are 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. 

Source: GNA