The 45th General Council Session of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) opened in Accra, Ghana, with an OATUU/ILO conference on the theme: “Strengthening the Role of Trade Unions for Advancing Social Justice for Everyone.” The hybrid event featured a range of in-person and virtual presentations as well as vibrant discussions on issues related to social justice.
Day one brought together trade union leaders from across Africa, as well as representatives from the the International Labour Organization (ILO), and other global trade union organisations. Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Joshua Ansah set the tone by addressing the pressing issues of economic inequality, worker exploitation, and the widening gap between rich and poor. He called for unity among unions, investment in training and research, and prioritizing decent work and equitable economic growth.
ILO Regional Desk Officer for Africa, Hilma Mote, underscored the transformative potential of trade unions to achieve social justice. OATUU President, Dr. Francis Atwoli alsourged participants to translate discussions into actionable strategies. He emphasized the importance of revitalizing OATUU’s efforts in the African Union and globally to ensure its voice is heard.
The keynote address by Dr. Vladimir Danso explored “Development Challenges and Social Justice in Africa.” He highlighted the critical need for Africa to assert control over its resources and foster intra-African trade to achieve sustainable development.
The program also included a presentation on the ILO’s Global Coalition for Social Justiceand the UN Global Accelerator Initiative on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions. These sessions emphasized the importance of capacity building, strategic partnerships, and aligning trade union activities with global frameworks to drive progress toward social justice and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Day one concluded with a strong call for action, urging trade unions to focus on capacity-building activities that will equip them to effectively work to advance social justice and sustainable development across Africa.