ACCRA, Sept 17 (2025) – The Railway Workers Union of Ghana (RWU), affiliated with the Trades Union Congress (TUC-Ghana), has announced a nationwide strike and peaceful picketing scheduled for Tuesday, September 30, 2025, to protest 12 months of unpaid salaries, according to a formal notice sent to the Ghana Police Service.
The union, representing workers from Tema, Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, and Tarkwa, cited severe financial hardship caused by the Ghana Railway Company Limited’s failure to clear salary arrears dating back to October 2024. In a letter dated September 15, 2025, addressed to the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, the RWU described the situation as causing “grave hardship,” including financial distress, health issues, family breakdowns, and disruptions to workers’ children’s education. The union warned that the strike will proceed unless concrete action is taken by September 22.
The planned industrial action includes picketing at key institutions in Accra, starting at the Ministry of Transport, followed by presenting a petition to Parliament, a visit to the Ghana Railway Development Authority, and concluding at TUC headquarters. The RWU has assured authorities that the protests will remain peaceful and has requested police support to ensure public safety during the event.
This looming strike follows a similar action in May 2025, when railway workers halted passenger services nationwide over seven months of unpaid wages. That strike was suspended after government intervention, but the RWU says the underlying issues remain unresolved, prompting the latest call for action. “Despite repeated engagements with the Ministry of Transport, no steps have been taken toward negotiation, mediation, or arbitration,” the union stated, referencing Section 161 of Ghana’s Labour Act, 2003.
Ghana’s railway sector, critical for transporting goods and passengers, has faced ongoing challenges, including underfunding and mismanagement, which workers claim have exacerbated their plight. The TUC, a national center representing over 479,000 workers across 21 unions as of 2018, has been a vocal advocate for labour rights since its founding in 1945. The RWU’s action underscores broader labor unrest in Ghana, with multiple unions threatening strikes over unpaid salaries and poor working conditions.
A prolonged strike could disrupt rail services, impacting the economy and commuters. “The government needs to act swiftly to resolve these grievances,” said labour expert Samuel Kofi Mensah. “Failure to address the salary arrears risks escalating tensions and further destabilizing the sector.”
The Ministry of Transport has not yet issued a public response to the RWU’s demands. With the September 30 deadline approaching, all eyes are on whether negotiations can avert the strike. The government’s handling of this crisis could set a precedent for addressing labor disputes in other sectors.
