Written by Ekow Dontoh | From Bloomberg

Ghana’s biggest labor group holds a strike today to demand President John Dramani Mahama do more to stem a slide in the cedi that’s fueling inflation and curbing economic growth.

More than 5,000 members of the Trades Union Congress are expected to march in Ghana’s largest cities, including the capital, Accra, TUC Secretary-General Kofi Asamoah said yesterday. The union represents 18 national unions with workers ranging from miners to health-care workers and maritime personnel.

“People are angry and complaining because petroleum products and utilities prices have been increased significantly without a corresponding increase in wages and salaries,” Asamoah said. “The government has a responsibility to ensure that there are mitigating measures to help cushion the poor and vulnerable.”

The government this month lowered its 2014 economic growth forecast to 7.1 percent, from an earlier estimate of 8 percent, as power shortages, inflation and the weakening currency constrain the economy. Consumer price growth rose at the fastest pace in four years to 15 percent in June.

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