The Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) had the honour of hosting the newly appointed Director of the ILO Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV), Mr. Oliver Röpke, at its Secretariat in Accra on 5th December, 2025. He was accompanied by Sister. Hilma Mote, African Regional Desk Officer, and Sister Inviolata Chinyangarara, Senior Specialist on Workers’ Issues at ACTRAV.

On behalf of OATUU, Assistant Secretary-General, Comrade Valentine Udeh welcomed Mr. Röpke and extended heartfelt congratulations on his appointment. He expressed OATUU’s readiness to work closely with the ILO-ACTRAV in advancing social justice, workers’ rights, and the shared goals of both institutions.

Comrade Udeh highlighted the long-standing collaboration between OATUU and ILO-ACTRAV, emphasizing the need to further strengthen this partnership for the benefit of African workers. He provided an overview of OATUU’s history as the only Pan-African trade union organisation representing all trade union tendencies across the continent. He reaffirmed OATUU’s mission to defend workers’ rights, promote unity, and champion African interests on global platforms.

In response, Mr. Röpke expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome, stating that it was “an honour and a pleasure” to visit OATUU so early in his tenure. He noted that although his appointment is recent, work at ACTRAV has already begun at full speed, with a renewed focus on its core mission—supporting trade unions worldwide.

Mr. Röpke emphasized that Africa remains one of his top priorities, reflected in the decision to make the continent the destination of his first official mission. Despite global financial constraints, he pledged ACTRAV’s continued support to African trade unions and expressed optimism about the upcoming regional ILO meeting.

He underscored the importance of unity within the labour movement, cautioning that Africa must not become a “playground for global actors.” He affirmed ACTRAV’s commitment to cooperation and strengthening workers’ organisations across the continent.

In closing, both parties expressed their mutual desire to identify new areas of collaboration and deepen their partnership in the years ahead. 

OATUU wished Mr. Röpke success in his tenure and reaffirmed its openness to continued cooperation in promoting decent work, equality, and social justice for all African workers.