Ghana could very easily be paralyzed on Monday, November 18, when the general strike declared by the Trade Union Congress and Organized Labour kicks in.

According to Mr. Kofi Asamoah, Secretary-General of the TUC, the Ghana Medical Association has thrown its weight behind the call by organized labour.

Speaking on TV3’s “Hot Issues” last Saturday, Mr. Asamoah said the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and all the 17 affiliated of the TUC will join the strike.

The 17 affiliates of the TUC include the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), the Public Services Workers Union (PSWU), the Mine Workers Union (MWU), the Maritime and Dockworkers Union (MDU) the General Transport and Chemical Workers Union and many more.

If the strike takes off, it will affect all sectors of the national life and signify the end of the honeymoon between government and organized labour.

Some analysts say that Government cannot endure such a massive industrial action and survive.

Organized labour is demanding the staggering of recent utility tariff increases. Government on the other is justifying the tariff increases and the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission says that the increases cannot be reversed.

However Public agitation against the increases is growing, and all opposition political parties have condemned them. If Government fails to meet the demands of organized labour, it will surely face a major shut down on November 18.