Accra, Ghana – February 21, 2025
Labour Consultant Austin Gamey has strongly criticized the ongoing strike by the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG), describing it as an abuse of the engagement process and a counterproductive approach to resolving disputes.
The strike stems from CLOGSAG’s demand for the removal of Samuel Adom Botchwey as Registrar of the Births and Deaths Registry. The association accuses the government of failing to honor its promise to reassign Botchwey, pointing to his participation in the Registry’s budget hearing on February 17 as proof that he remains in office.
CLOGSAG argues that his continued presence undermines trust and accountability, prompting their decision to withdraw services.
However, Austin Gamey has condemned the strike, asserting that proper procedures exist for addressing grievances without disrupting public services.
“There is a laid-down procedure in handling concerns that one party may have. CLOGSAG is abusing the process. You cannot engage in dialogue while tying the other party’s hands behind their back. This is an old-fashioned approach, and nobody should do this in the 21st century,” Gamey stated.
He emphasized the importance of dialogue and the availability of legal frameworks such as the Labour Commission and the courts to address disputes.
“They should go and sit down and talk. If both sides cannot talk, that is why we have the Labour Commission. If they can’t go to the Commission, they can go to the court. But the strike is adversarial,” he added.
Gamey’s remarks highlight growing concerns over the increasing use of industrial action as a first resort rather than exhausting alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. It remains to be seen whether CLOGSAG and the government will return to the negotiation table or if the strike will continue to disrupt essential services.
