Artisans across Ghana are up in arms with the government for failing them.
The Ghana Artisans Association, made up of over 20 different artisan groups with membership numbering over five thousand (5000) is warming up for a nationwide demonstration in 14 days if the government does not resolve their grievances and begin fulfilling promises made them ahead of the last general elections that brought the NPP to power.
Addressing the media, the chairman for the association, Mr. Osei Assibey hinted that the current government led by Hs. Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his 2016 campaign, promised Artisans in the country heaven but is now giving them hell.
The Chairman outlined four major reasons Artisans in the country feel abandoned and now have no option than to spit fire to the government. He said to their research done on mechanics (fitters) in the country revealed that, 1. 47 – 49% of mechanics have lost their jobs from 2017 to the first half of 2019 due to road constructions and other government projects. This is because mechanics in the country don’t have a permanent place of work after apprenticeship due to that many have turn squatters and roadside mechanics, meanwhile the government promised them permanent places of work.
He also cited hefty electricity bills as a factor that is forcing many out of their jobs.
He lamented that many craftsmen in the country have now turned into “Trotro” drivers and conductors including women, adding that five artisans abandon their work every day.
He observed that the above reasons and more have made artisanship in the country no longer attractive to the youth and if things remain unchanged in the next 7 years the country will lose her artisan base.
The association in her effort to provide artisans permanent places to work, have acquired over 300 acres of land which now needs government’s support in terms electricity, water and roads to the site to enable members move in to settle.
The association has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government within which they expect favourable response on their situation or go ahead with a planned demonstration.
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