Ghana: BWI and IndustriALL affiliates launch youth activist school

BWI and IndustriAll on 22-24 November organised a Youth Activist School which was attended by 35 Ghanaian youth trade unionists, including 17 young women, from the global unions’ six (6) affiliates in the country.

The educational activity, which was supported by IndustriEnergi-Norway, aimed to develop the young trade unionists’ leadership and organising skills through a strong mentoring program.

Opening the training was Crecentia Mofokeng, BWI Regional Representative for Africa and Middle East. She underscored the importance of youth participation in trade unions and encouraged the young trade unionists to develop theirs organisational and ideological capacities. 

IndustriEnergi Youth Committee Chair Mikael A. Karlsen shared Norway’s youth organising experiences with the Ghanaian youth, while learning from the participant themselves  their own initiatives.

The young trade unionists were also immersed on the concept and principles of a “just transition” and the need for social dialogues to shift to a green and sustainable future.  

The second day of the training was devoted to occupational health and safety wherein the young participants visited the Tema Oil Refinery.  

IndustriEnergi International Adviser Ole Kristian Paulsen expressed his satisfaction to the training. He hoped that BWI and IndustriALL’s joint educational initiative will prepare Ghana’s new generation of trade union activists. 

This was amplified by IndustriAll Regional Secretary Paule France Ndessomin. She called on the country’s trade unions to help strengthen young workers’ voices in working class organisations and continue providing spaces and opportunities for young people to contribute to the building of a better and stronger labour movement.