“Don’t sit aloof”-Mahama charges workers to protect state enterprises
President John Dramani Mahama has called on workers and organised labour to take an active role in safeguarding state-owned enterprises (SOEs), warning that indifference to mismanagement could reverse recent gains made in reviving the sector.
Addressing workers at the 2026 May Day celebration in Koforidua, the President stressed that employees must not remain passive when governance failures threaten the survival of public institutions.
“I urge the TUC and organised labour not to sit back and look on aloof when management and governing boards are mismanaging their enterprises,” he said.
His remarks come amid what he described as a steady recovery of several state-owned enterprises under the government’s Resetting Ghana agenda, following years of financial distress and operational challenges.
President Mahama noted that the revival efforts are beginning to yield results, citing improved performance and renewed activity across key institutions. However, he cautioned that these gains could be short-lived without collective vigilance.
“When these enterprises collapse, it is the workers that suffer the most,” he warned.
He therefore encouraged workers to take responsibility for the sustainability of their organisations by speaking out against wrongdoing and inefficiencies.
“And so when you see things going wrong, don’t sit aloof. Point it out and make sure corrections are done,” the President urged.
President Mahama emphasised that protecting state enterprises is not solely the responsibility of government, but a shared duty that includes employees, management, and governing boards.
He reiterated that strong and well managed SOEs are critical to national development, job creation, and economic growth, and called for a culture of accountability and transparency across all public institutions.
