Akatsi Strike: CLOGSAG Calls for Action as Safety of Workers is Threatened

The Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) has announced that its members will not return to work at the Akatsi South Municipal Assembly until a stakeholder dialogue is held to address the safety concerns of local government workers in the area.

The strike, which began on January 29, 2025, follows a disturbing incident on January 17, when two field officers from the Akatsi South Municipal Assembly’s physical planning department were attacked by residents while carrying out routine duties.

The officers were investigating a property under development to ensure that the necessary clearance documents had been obtained.

The situation escalated when the officers were assaulted again, despite the presence of five police officers who had been assigned to accompany them.

David Okonkwo Larrtey, the Akatsi South Municipal Chairman of CLOGSAG, shared the harrowing details of the attack.

He explained that after the initial assault, the officers went to the police station to report the incident, only for a mob to target them again when they returned to the site with the police.

Shockingly, the police officers stood by and did not intervene, leaving the officers to be rushed to the hospital for medical care.

This incident is not the first time local government workers in Akatsi have faced violence, and the failure of local authorities, including the police and traditional leaders, to address the situation has led to heightened concerns about the safety of workers in the region.

CLOGSAG has called for a comprehensive engagement between all relevant stakeholders to find a resolution and ensure that the perpetrators of the violence are held accountable.

In a statement signed by CLOGSAG’s Executive Secretary, Israel Ampotabdo, the association declared that operations at the Akatsi South Municipal Assembly would remain suspended until the safety of workers could be assured.

The statement highlighted the lack of action from local authorities and emphasized that the ongoing lawlessness in the area was exacerbating the situation.

Ernest Sakyi, the Volta Regional Secretary of CLOGSAG, expressed his disappointment with the police’s handling of the case, suggesting that there was an underlying fear among law enforcement to take action in the municipality.

He further stressed that the strike would continue until a meaningful dialogue involving the local authorities, the police, and community leaders was organized to address the issues at hand.

The situation in Akatsi South has drawn widespread attention, with many questioning the ability of local authorities to maintain law and order.

CLOGSAG’s call for a dialogue aims to ensure the safety and well-being of local government staff while seeking justice for the victims of the recent attacks.

Until then, operations in the municipality remain suspended, leaving essential local government services on hold.