Tarkwa (W/R), June 27, GNA- Prince William Ankrah, General Secretary of the Ghana Mine Workers Union (GMWU), has expressed concern about the influx of expatriates who have occupied positions, which their Ghanaian counterparts are capable of in the various mining companies in the country.

He could not comprehend why Ghanaians in spite of the numerous Universities including the University of Mines and Technology (UMAT), which trains people in mining and mining related disciplines could not be given such key positions.

"Why are the key positions being occupied by the expatriates instead of the graduates from the country's universities"? Brother Ankrah made these remarks at the inauguration of the Professional and Managerial Staff Union (PMSU) of Gold Fields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa and Damang Mines.

The PMSU is an umbrella of the GMWU, which is made up of senior officials of the various mining companies. The Goldfields chapter was the first to be inaugurated in the country.

The formation of PMSU was to afford the senior officials who hitherto had no bargaining power to be able to negotiate for better working conditions of service and welfare.

Brother Ankrah assured members of the PMSU of the preparedness of GMWU to engage management of the mines to take decisions that would promote peaceful co-existence between the management and PMSU. He said the increase in the salaries of members of the Union was as a result of the concerted efforts of both management and members of the Union.

The General Secretary said the Union would not rest on its oars, but would endeavour to make sure that the right thing was being done. As part of the Union's social responsibility, he said the Union is currently taking care of 200 kids in the various Senior Secondary Schools in the country.

Mr. Anthony Awortwe, Wassa West District Labour Officer, swore in the officers who were elected.

He reminded them of the difficulties they went through in forming the union and therefore charged them to work together to uplift the image of Goldfields Ghana Limited. In an advice, Brother Akwasi Adu-Amankwa, Secretary-General of the Ghana Trade Union Congress urged members of the union to spend time on meetings.

This he said was the only tool that would make the union strong. Brother Adu-Amankwa observed that workers often encounter difficulties before they contact the union, saying involve the mother Union in all their activities. He said GMWU plays a major role in Trade Unionism in the country and called on PMSU to bring more energy into the promotion of unionism in Ghana.