Kasseh Market sweepers begin strike over three months’ unpaid salaries

About 27 sweepers at the Kasseh Market in the Ada East District of the Greater Accra Region have embarked on an indefinite strike over three months of unpaid salaries.

The workers began the industrial action on Monday, November 2, 2026, demanding payment of their outstanding salaries before returning to work.

Some of the workers, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said delays in the payment of their salaries had become a recurring problem, with some payments remaining outstanding for extended periods.

They said they worked for about two years under the previous administration without receiving their salaries.

According to them, during the 2024 election campaign, some National Democratic Congress (NDC) leaders promised to increase their monthly remuneration from GH¢250 to GH¢700, a commitment they said motivated them to continue working diligently.

They, however, alleged that after the new administration assumed office, they worked for another 10 months without payment.

They said when they approached the authorities over the outstanding salaries, they were informed that there was no formal agreement with them to warrant payment for the period.

The workers said the assembly’s leadership subsequently invited them to a meeting and asked them to resume work, during which their monthly remuneration was increased from GH¢250 to GH¢350.

They, however, said they had not received their salaries for the past three months and had not received any formal communication explaining the delay, prompting their decision to suspend work.

“We do not want another issue with our payment because most of us are ageing and still have children and families to cater for. If you cannot pay us the GH¢700 promised, at least pay us the GH¢350 for the work we do,” one of the workers said.

They stated that they had endured prolonged unfair treatment and were determined not to continue working without receiving their due remuneration.

Some of the workers also expressed concern about alleged intimidation whenever they spoke to the media about their working conditions.

“Anytime we speak with the media, they start calling and threatening us. Occasionally, they accuse us of aligning with the opposition to disgrace them,” another worker alleged.

Meanwhile, a visit by the GNA to the market on Wednesday revealed heaps of refuse accumulating following the Tuesday market activities, including used plastic bags, leftover food, plastic waste and other discarded materials.

The situation had left parts of the market littered and unpleasant, raising concerns about sanitation and the potential health implications for traders, shoppers and other users of the facility.

Mr Kenneth Kabu Kofi Kanor, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ada East, declined to comment when contacted by the GNA on the matter.