Cocoa Carriers Suspend Strike After Successful Talks with Cocoa Marketing Company
The Cocoa Carriers Association has suspended its indefinite sit-down strike, which began on Monday, October 7, following a productive engagement with the management of the Cocoa Marketing Company (CMC) and a representative from the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD). The strike was called off after assurances from management to address concerns over workers’ conditions of service within a week.
Raymond Atanga Abobiga, National Chairman of the Cocoa Carriers Association, confirmed in an interview with Citi Business News that workers at the CMC depots in Tema, Takoradi, and Kumasi have resumed their duties. According to Mr. Abobiga, the decision to return to work was based on management’s commitment to reconsider and resolve issues related to the workers’ demands for better service conditions.
“We negotiated with our directors and COCOBOD and concluded that we have to continue working while they reconsider our increment. So we decided to work today [Tuesday, October 8],” Mr. Abobiga explained, expressing optimism that the workers’ grievances will be resolved within the agreed timeline.
However, Mr. Abobiga mentioned a brief disruption in Kumasi after it was communicated that he was not supposed to work. In solidarity, workers in Kumasi threatened to halt operations if their chairman was not reinstated. The situation was promptly addressed by senior management, who instructed that Mr. Abobiga resume work, ensuring operations across all depots continued.
“Right now, Tema is working, Takoradi is working, and Kumasi, we are also working. That is the current situation of the strike now,” Mr. Abobiga confirmed.
The Cocoa Carriers Association went on strike to demand improved conditions of service, including salary increments and better working conditions. With operations now back to normal, workers are hopeful that the ongoing negotiations will result in a favorable resolution.
