The Maritime and Dockworkers Union (MDU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Ghana has successfully held its 14th Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference from Wednesday, July 30 to Friday, August 1, 2025, at the Gloriaka Hotel near the Winneba roundabout in the Central Region. The conference was organized under the theme: “Securing MDU with a United Front.”The high-level gathering brought together key stakeholders within the maritime and labor sectors, including delegates from across the country, and marked a major turning point in the Union’s history by officially resolving a protracted five-year leadership dispute that had hindered progress and disrupted operations within the MDU.Dignitaries who graced the three-day event included the Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress, Mr. Joshua Ansah, the Municipal Coordinating Director for the Effutu Municipal Assembly, Mr. Alhassan Abdulai Issifu, MDU National Chairman Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Baidoo, and the MDU General Secretary Daniel Owusu-Koranteng. In his keynote address, Mr. Alhaji Alhassan Issifu emphasized the vital role of the MDU not only as a labor body but also as a cornerstone of the local economy and a key contributor to social development. He called for a deepened partnership between the Union and the Effutu Municipal Assembly, noting that collaboration should go beyond formal meetings to become a continuous alliance built on mutual respect and a shared vision for prosperity.He urged delegates to embody the conference theme by prioritizing unity and collective advancement through respectful engagement, constructive dialogue, and a renewed focus on shared goals. “By doing so,” he stated, “the Union can strengthen its foundation, promote cohesion, and drive impactful progress across the maritime sector.”Addressing the conference, MDU General Secretary Daniel Owusu-Koranteng underscored the centrality of unity to the Union’s future. “Divisions will only hinder our activities and undermine the Union’s effectiveness,” he noted. He stressed that the success of the MDU hinges on togetherness and cooperative action among its members.Echoing similar sentiments, TUC Secretary-General Joshua Ansah called on workers to remain united in their pursuit of better working conditions and fair wages. He reaffirmed the TUC’s unwavering support for the MDU in its ongoing advocacy for workers’ rights and welfare.MDU National Chairman Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Baidoo used the platform to urge members to put past disagreements behind them. “Let us set aside differences and come together to develop clear, consistent protocols that will guide our efforts,” he said, emphasizing that solidarity remains the most effective path to resolving internal disputes and restoring strength within the Union.A major highlight of the conference was the successful election of new Union leadership, a critical step toward restoring full functionality and direction to the MDU after years of stagnation. The new leadership is expected to usher in an era of renewed commitment, stronger organization, and increased advocacy for the maritime workforce.The 14th Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference of the MDU will be remembered as a landmark event which did not only reaffirm the Union’s core values of unity and progress but also set the stage for a revitalized and forward-looking Maritime and Dockworkers Union.
STORY BY: CHARLES BAAH ABOAGYE & MATILDA A. ARTHUR -ISD
Last modified: August 2, 2025
