Staff of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) are expressing outrage after leaders of the local union locked the Authority’s offices on Tuesday morning, preventing workers from entering the premises.

The move came after the union executives had invited journalists to a press briefing regarding what they described as "happenings within the GSA."

However, in a surprising twist, the union leaders abruptly called off the briefing, sent the journalists away, and refused to answer subsequent phone calls, leaving both workers and the media in confusion.  

Several GSA employees who arrived at work on Tuesday morning were met with locked offices and no explanation from union representatives. Receptions to offices were also locked and there was no space for clients to sit and make enquiries.

Frustrated staff members accused the union leadership of acting unilaterally without proper consultation.  

“We were not informed about any strike or office closure. This is unacceptable,” said one angry worker who wished to remain anonymous. “If there are grievances, the union should engage us properly, not lock us out without warning.”  

Failed media briefing

The situation grew more perplexing when journalists who had been invited by the union for a press conference were abruptly turned away.

When contacted by Graphic Online, the local Chairperson of the Union, Comfort Hansen stated that the leaders had been summoned to a meeting at the Ministry of Trade and Industry and would provide updates to the media afterward.

Management of the GSA has yet to issue an official statement on the incident, but sources indicate that discussions are underway to resolve the impasse.  

As tensions rise, workers are demanding accountability from their union leaders, while the public awaits answers on what exactly triggered the sudden lockout and the aborted media briefing.