Mr. Kofi Asamoah, Secretary General of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), on Thursday urged the Railways Enginemen's Union (REU) and the Railways Workers Union (RWU) to merge.

This, he said, would enable them to join forces to support government to revamp the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL).

He made the call at the 10th Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the Railway Enginemen's Union, under the theme "Revamping the Railway sector, the impact on the national economy" at Fijai near Takoradi.

Mr. Asamoah said there cannot be two competing unions in the GRCL considering the present state of the company.

He urged the Railway Enginemen's Union to come out with a decision on the merger with its rival union before the forthcoming quadrennial conference of the GTUC.

Mr. Asamoah said, "It is the wish of the GTUC family that the two railway unions merge to be strengthened enough to be able to grapple with the numerous challenges facing the Railway company and its workers".

"The situation in the company currently and the challenges facing workers do not justify two separate unions," Mr. Asamoah added.

He called on the government to pay greater attention to the country's rail transport system and work towards resuscitating the railway industry. Mr. Asamoah said currently, the entire Western Corridor railway has fallen into disuse and the railway tracks are in a state of disrepair.

He urged workers to be advocates for peace in the elections, adding that "As politicians make various promises to the electorate, we should demand answers from potential rulers on how they are going to fix the monumental challenges facing the country".

Nana Kobina Nketia V, Omanhene of the Essikado Traditional Area, who was the special guest, noted that there cannot be a better Ghana without railways.

He said the development of the country's railway sector requires non-partisan approach because of its importance to the economy.

Nana Nketia said the railway sector could be revamped if workers stand up for the country and for the common man.

In an address read for him, Mr. Ato Botchwey, acting Managing Director of GRCL, said management has initiated a training programme for enginemen to forestall shortage of skilled enginemen.

He said railway positively impacts on the national economy and what were needed are commitment and effective management as well as continuous injection of investment for the improvement of railway infrastructure and performance.

Mr. Botchwey said the operations of railways have seen a decline due to the deterioration of the network, marked by frequent derailments, declining traffic and low employees morale.

He commended enginemen for carefully handling the few trains that the company runs and advised them to desist from admitting unauthorized passengers on the foot plate, as well as all actions that they are not supposed to do and are against the rules and regulations of the company.

Mr. Botchwey said reports have come in of drivers allowing passengers unto the footplate of trains and said those involved in such acts must be prepared to face the consequences of their actions.

Mr. Joseph King-Edu, General Secretary of the union, proposed that a percentage of revenue realized from the various toll booths should be given to the GRCL for maintenance works.

He also called on the ministry of transport to come clear about the staff rationalization programme, which the A-Bass was contracted to do because of workers anxiety and discomfort.

Mr. King-Edu said another concern of the union is the “difference” between the Railway Development Authority and the Railway Company Limited which was causing disquiet in the railway sector.**