President John Agyekum Kufuor on May Day distributed awards to 18 trade unionists in recognition of their dedicated service.

One of the recipients was Mr Charles Kumatse, Member of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Public Utility Workers Union (PUWU).

Two Women, who were among the recipients, were Miss Dorothy Mensah of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union and Miss Victoria Senaya (rpt. Senaya) of the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU).

Also awarded were Mr David Korley Clottey, National Chairman of the Communications Workers Union (CWU); Mr Joshua Ansah, General Secretary of the Timber and Woodworkers Union (TWU); Mr Horatius Yartey Quaye, Deputy General Secretary, Public Services Wokers Union (PSWU) and Mr Eben Mensah, Maritime and Dockworkers Union (MDU), Deputy General Secretary.

The others were: Mr David Annang Adams, Deputy General Secretary, Railway Workers Union (RWU); Mr R. S. A. Oppong, Senior Staff Member, Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPTRU); Mr R. O. Smith, Senior Staff, National Union of Seamen (NUS); Mr J. C. Frans (rpt Frans), Senior Staff, Railway Enginemen's Union (REU); Mr John Carr (rpt. Carr), Industrial Relations Officer, Ghana Mines Workers Union (GMWU); and Mr Francis Yibey (rpt. Yibey) of Construction and Building, Material Workers Union (CBMWU).

Rest were: Mr Moses Amewornu, Senior Staff, Health Services Workers Union (HSWU), Mr Stephen Riss (rpt Riss) Hayibor, Member, National Executive Council (NEC) Member of the General Transport and Petroleum Workers Union (GTPWU); Mr Baah Mintah of Local Government Workers Union (LGWU); Mr Emmanuel A. Avuyem of the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) and Mr Wilson Agama, Chairman, Greater Accra Regional Council of Labour.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview Mr Kumatse, who is also the Internal Auditor of the Ghana Water Company Limited, said: " I am happy my efforts have been recognized and rewarded. This novelty would inspire me to work hard".