On Saturday, October 10, Dr Nana Yaw Adutwum, Director of Policy for the United Party, cautioned that repeated Council of State interventions in labour disputes risk eroding unions’ confidence in the body if public agencies do not resolve grievances before strikes erupt.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue, Adutwum argued that public institutions must improve their efficiency and manage complaints within their own mandates, rather than waiting for industrial action to trigger high‑level intervention.
He noted that the Council of State has increasingly become the go‑to venue whenever teacher unions or other organised labour groups launch strikes, describing the trend as a sign of weaknesses in how public institutions handle grievances.
“When the trust for Council of State breaks down and the teacher unions or labour unions do not regard them, where will we go?” Adutwum asked.
Adutwum urged government agencies to strengthen their administrative systems and improve efficiency in managing public services, arguing that many labour disputes could be resolved before they evolve into industrial action.
He added that the reliance on the Council of State reflects a broader failure to address root causes of discontent within public institutions, and that a proactive approach would save time, money and public confidence.
Moving forward, Adutwum called on ministries and agencies to review their grievance procedures, ensure timely responses, and engage constructively with unions to prevent escalation.
