Govt urged to promote local automobile sector

The government has been urged to promote the local auto mobile sector to help boost the country’s economy, Mr Solomon Kotei, General Secretary of the Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU) Ghana stated.

He said vigorous policies must be put in place to protect the transport sector in the country since it is the engine of every country.

Mr Kotei made the appeal at a dissemination workshop of auto research report in Accra yesterday.

The programme which was organised by the ICU Ghana and in collaboration with its international affiliate, Industrial Global Union was to discuss issues in the auto mobile sector in the sub region including Ghana and seek ways to address them.

In attendance were participants from Accra Automobile Organisation and the Ministry of Transport.

Mr Kotei who is also the Chairman of the Industriall Liaison Council Ghana said the transport sector was crucial in the country and needs to be managed well to improve their activities.

He said most of the spare parts were imported into the country before they were assembled.

Mr Kotei stated that when the local industries were improved the country would be able to produce its own spare parts and assemble them here which would cut down on imports and create employment in the country. 

He said there should be review of strategies to promote the business on the market.

The acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Transport, Ms Mabel Sagoe, who represented the sector Minister, Mr Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, commended the ICU-Ghana and their international partners for the initiative.

She assured the ICU-Ghana of the Ministry’s collaboration to improve the transport sector in the country.

The Industrial National Project Coordinator, Mrs Christine Asante urged women to develop interest in the sector to help them in their career.

“There were less women in the automobile sector, they should take advantage in the automobile sector, including science and technology to make great impact in the economy,” She added.

Mr Kenneth Mogane of Industrial Global Union, in his presentation on the topic “Research work done in the auto sector of sub-Sahara African Region” said  the sector was growing and has the potential to attract new investments in other fields such as spare parts and components.

He said there is compelling need to associate new investments with the creation of more and quality jobs to alleviate poverty and inequality.

Mr Mogane stated that the research revealed underemployment, increasing casualisation that most often followed privatisation and deregulation of the sector, gender and race disparity, and low union representation.

He said trade unions should be consulted in investment decision and industrial policy planning.

Mr Mogane stressed the need for capacity training and skills development.

“A joint effort should be made to re-energise and strengthen union organising where this is weak or where union density is low,” he added.

BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI