Koforidua, July 24, GNA - The members of the Eastern Region branch of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) of the Trades Unions Congress (TUC) have disassociated itself from attempts by a group within the union to remove Mr Napoleon Kpoh as its General Secretary. They said "we do not see anything wrong with the performance of the General Secretary since the membership and even his colleagues General Secretaries can attest that he is hardworking".

A resolution adopted by the Union at an emergency meeting at Koforidua on Wednesday and signed by Miss Mary Okyere, Chairperson and Mr J.O. Kissi, Secretary said: "To the contrary the image of the Union has improved considerably under the leadership of Mr Kpoh at both national and international levels."

The resolution said: "We in the Region are fed up with Trades Union Machoism, which does not move the union forward but rather retards its progress." They pledged to resist any move and action by people aspiring to be leaders of the great union to bring it into disrepute. It called on the National Executive Council to take steps to ensure that this year's delegates' conference to be held in Kumasi becomes a reality and not abortive as in 1999 to save the Union from wasting its resources.

The resolution appealed to the Executive Council to advice contestants to the 2003 election to cease the "wars of paper publication" and any other vices to ensure free and fair elections. It advised members seeking elections as national officers to rather submit themselves to the electorate at the conference - the highest decision-making body of the Union.