UER: HSWU Strengthens Branch Leadership Through 2-Day Capacity-Building in Upper East Region

By: Gideon Kwame Adu

The Health Services Workers’ Union (HSWU), an affiliate of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Ghana, has organized a two-day capacity-building workshop for branch executives at the GRNMA Hotel Conference Hall, Pusu Namongo in the Upper East Region. The initiative forms part of the union’s broader strategy to empower its grassroots leadership to effectively represent members and ensure strong advocacy for health sector workers.

The training brought together branch officers from across the region, including representatives from district hospitals and health centers. The program focused on leadership development, trade union administration, financial management, and sensitization on labor rights.

The Regional Chairperson Sis. Angela Agambila Ayinne in her welcome address  warmly welcomed branch executives to the union’s two-day capacity-building workshop, emphasizing the importance of leadership development in strengthening the union’s structures and advancing the welfare of its members.  She expressed appreciation to all participants for making time to attend, noting that their presence demonstrates commitment to the union’s vision of solidarity and effective representation. She further explained that the training is designed to equip branch executives with practical skills in trade union administration, financial management, leadership, and labor law, which are essential for effective grassroots leadership.

In His Opening remarks, the Regional Industrial Relation Officer, Bro. Jones J.  Boakye Nomocle  emphasized the importance of strong grassroots leadership in advancing the welfare of health sector workers.  The officer highlighted the union’s commitment to equipping its Branch leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively represent members. He  noted that branch leaders are the frontline representatives of union members, and their capacity directly determines the union’s strength and responsiveness. Focing on the training, he indicated that Participants will be taken through modules on benefits of joining HSWU, Constitution and structures of the Union,  meeting procedure, collective agreement and HSWU fund.

The Municipal Health Director Mr. Lawal Alhassan on-behalf of the Regional Health Director  commended the Health Services Workers’ Union (HSWU) for its commitment to strengthening grassroots leadership through capacity-building programs. Speaking at the opening of the branch executives’ training workshop, the Director emphasized that effective union leadership is essential for advancing the welfare of health workers and improving service delivery in the health sector. The Director praised the union for prioritizing leadership development, noting that well-trained branch executives are better positioned to address members’ concerns and foster collaboration with health management teams. He stressed that strong union leadership contributes to a motivated workforce, which directly impacts the quality of healthcare provided to communities.

The Regional Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Sis. Scorlastica T. Dery lauded the Health Services Workers’ Union (HSWU) for its commitment to strengthening grassroots leadership through capacity-building programs.  In her Solidarity message, the Secretary emphasized that empowering union leaders at the local level is vital for sustaining the broader labor movement in Ghana. She stressed that the strength of the TUC lies in the capacity of its affiliates, and branch executives serve as the backbone of union structures nationwide. She reminded participants that unity remains the most powerful tool of organized labor, and strong branch leadership ensures that workers’ voices are heard at both regional and national levels.

The Deputy General Secretary of the Health Services Workers’ Union (HSWU) Sis. Patricia Ofosua underscored the importance of effective grassroots leadership in sustaining the union’s vision and protecting the welfare of health sector workers. In her opening remarks  the Deputy General Secretary commended the initiative as a strategic step toward strengthening the union’s structures in the Region. She praised the program, noting that well-trained branch executives are critical to advancing the union’s mission and ensuring members’ voices are heard. She again reminded participants that unity remains the union’s greatest strength, and branch executives must serve as pillars of solidarity in their respective institutions.

In declaring the workshop open, the Deputy General Secretary reaffirmed the union’s commitment to empowering health workers, stressing that “a strong branch makes a strong union, and a strong union ensures the welfare of every member.”

Participants were taken through Presentations on the benefits of joining HSWU, Constitution and structures of the Union,  meeting procedure, collective agreement and HSWU fund.

Participants were not passive attendees—they contributed meaningfully, learned new skills, and committed to strengthening their branches with the knowledge gained.