Accra, Feb. 17, GNA - Mr Alex K. B. Bonney, Chairman of the Trades Union Congress, said that unionists in leadership should be abreast with issues arising from the "rapid socio-economic and political changes going on around us to be able to deliver the right education to union members".

He said the Globalisation effect, the NEPAD, especially with reference to the Peer Review Mechanism, Conflict Resolution and Conflict Prevention of Civil Wars, Regional Integration and others must be understood to be able to make input for the smooth workings of mechanisms developed to bring success.

Mr Bonney was opening a three-day "interactive" workshop jointly organised by the Local Government Workers Union (LGWU) of Ghana and the Lagos State branch of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Accra on Monday.

The workshop, the second in a series is being attended by 60 participants from middle level management and union executives. The first was in January last year.

Topics being treated include, "The District Assembly as a system", "Current Local Government Administration - The Role of LGWU and the NULGE", "Women's participation in Trades Union, and the Collective Bargaining Agreement".

Mr Bonney said despite efforts by ECOWAS to promote economic integrations, "our traders and citizens still encounter problems at the borders which should be a concern for labour".

He said despite the point that Local Government is an essential ingredient in good governance there was the need for the two unions to meet more often to share ideas and experiences for the smooth running of local administrations of the two countries.

Mr Kunle Balogum, State Vice President, NUGLE, said in a welcoming address that such workshops are essential for strengthening of our bilateral relations in exchanges of ideas and experiences. Mr Mensah, Deputy General Secretary of LGWU said the two unions should collaborate in areas that would benefit the entire membership.