Accra, Jan. 30, GNA – Vice President Aliu Mahama on Wednesday cut the sod for the commencement of the Kwame Nkrumah Africa Labour College in Accra, which has been on the drawing board for over 30 years. The project, which is the brainchild of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU), would start with the construction of a dormitory block, which is being funded by China at the cost of five million dollars.
The project, which would have a floor space of 5,205 square meters with a total land area of 12,300 square meters would be furnished and equipped by the Chinese. Vice President Mahama said the government and people of Ghana were grateful to OATUU and the entire organised workers movements of Africa for naming the college after the founder of Modern Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
He pledged government’s commitment to provide diplomatic, financial and moral support to the OATUU to keep the spirit of the labour movement in Ghana and Africa perpetually aflame. Vice President Mahama noted that the Ghana labour movement, government and other stakeholders are striving to work in partnership through institutions and other democratic mechanisms to promote greater accountability and transparency in governance. Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu, OATUU Secretary-General, said the college would train African trade union leaders to help contribute to the evolution of a strong, unity, democratic, economically-integrated and prosperous Africa.
He said the project became a reality through the friendship that existed between OATUU and the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU).
Libya, Sudan, Algeria and Egypt have also expressed their desire to complete other components of the college, which include administration block and lecture halls.
Alhaji Sunmonu said the naming of the college after Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was a tribute to the exemplary role played by Ghana’s first President in Africa and global affairs. Mr Yu Wenzhe, Chinese Ambassador, said OATUU and ACFTU had supported and co-operated with each other in many international arenas and the sod-cutting ceremony was an embodiment of the fruitful co-operation between the two organisations. Mr Xu Zhenhua, Vice Chairman of ACFTU said Africa and China had stood the test of time.
OATUU was established in 1973 and represents 25 million organised African Workers of all trade union tendencies. 30 Jan. 08
Source: GhanaWeb
