It noted that the initiative would create quick and easy financial access to women and resource them to embark on productive economic activity that would impact positive­ly on the nation’s economic growth.

Speaking at the Upper West Regional conference of the union at Wa yesterday, the ICU General Secretary, Mr Morgan Ayawine, entreated the government to be purpose­ful and consistent about the women’s bank project, and make it sustainable, to bring economic relief to Ghanaian women.

“We would, however, like to advise that the establishment of a women’s bank, this time around, should not be abandoned mid-way for lack of funds as was the case in the past with the women’s World Bank,” the statement said.

He said it was important to note that, in these challenging times, every effort must be made by the government, employers and la­bour to address labour-related concerns with speed and alacrity in order to forestall unnec­essary industrial actions at the workplace.

“Productivity suffers when there is no peace and harmony within the arena of labour relations,” Mr Ayawine said.

The meeting which is a prelude to the 12th Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference, serves as a forum to take stock and plan the region’s activities, conduct elections for the Youth, Women and Regional Council as well as adopt resolutions.

He urged delegates at the upcoming 12th Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference to actively participate in all the deliberations and decisions of this conference, so as to ensure that we collectively and rightly take decisions that would reflect the aims and objectives of the National Union in our quest to continue as the preferred trade union organisation in Ghana and one of the best in Africa.

This thus calls for equal partnership on the side of Union and Management for effective collaboration, since Capital and Labour stand on equal pedestal to merge and produce, to bring about the profitability of the business.

It must be emphasised here that, Capital standing on its own cannot produce and make profit, neither can Labour stand­ing alone produce and earn income. It is therefore logical that these two indispensable components of business merge on equal footing to enable a successful business to be conducted.

He noted that in some instances, Union-Management relationship was charac­terised by misunderstanding, and unfair treat­ment which impair the relationship leading to strikes and lockouts which affect productivity.

“These acts always have a backlash on Union-Management relationship, and they do not augur well for the sustainability of busi­ness. I advise all workers and employers to be guided always by the dictates of the Collec­tive Agreement and the Labour Law which are our key tools and do the right thing at all times so that either party would be justified in the end,” he said.