25th August, 2014

The Daily Graphic says it is not surprised that government has decided to stop the August salaries of POTAG members. According to the paper, both the Labour Act 651 and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act 798 provide that no employee should be on strike when there is negotiation or arbitration. POTAG's actions are therefore in breach of the law especially when they have left hundreds of final year students in a dilemma on when to complete school or begin their national service. The Graphic says government as the employer has the right not to pay striking workers because they have not contributed anything to the national effort. 

The Ghanaian Times welcomes President Mahama's announcement that government intends to make Ghana a sub-regional hub for the production of Anti-Retroviral Drugs ARTs. It says the move is laudable as the country has made significant strides in stemming the spread of the pandemic since it adopted a five year national strategic plan. It says currently only 60 percent of those infected with the disease are on ARTS, a situation which is likely to improve to 90 percent if Ghana becomes a sub-regional hub for ART production. The Ghanaian Times urges government to pursue this agenda as it will be a big relief for HIV/AIDS patients. 

GBC