Asuogyaman: More than 1,000 workers of the Akosombo Textiles Limited (ATL), now operating as Akosombo Industrial Company Limited (AICL), on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, staged a peaceful protest over 10 months of unpaid salaries and worsening conditions at the factory. The workers marched through the principal streets of the Asuogyaman District before presenting a petition addressed to President John Dramani Mahama through the Asuogyaman District Chief Executive (DCE), Godwin Bobobee.
According to Ghana Web, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, the workers appealed for urgent government intervention to revive the once-thriving textile company, which they say has been struggling with financial and operational challenges for years. Many of the demonstrators carried placards bearing messages that reflected their frustration and urgent appeals to government authorities. Some of the inscriptions read, "10 Months No Pay," "Mr President, ATL Needs Investors Now," "Pay Our Tier 2 From 2021 Till Now," "ATL Workers, We Are Dying," "Asuogyaman MP, We Need Your Intervention," and "Hon. Trade Minister, Kindly Sign the MoU for the Investor."
Reading the petition on behalf of the workers, Acting Chairman of the Industrial and Commercial Workers' Union (ICU) Local Union, Sampson Ocansey, outlined six key concerns affecting employees and the future of the company. The workers appealed to the President to facilitate the swift takeover of the company by a strategic investor, whom they said is ready to inject capital into the business to restore production and improve workers' welfare.
According to the petition, workers have not received salaries from September 2025 to June 2026, amounting to 10 months' arrears. They further alleged that bonus deductions made from their salaries since 2021 have not been paid. The petition also highlighted declining production due to shortages of raw materials, saying the factory now operates only about two days each week, leaving its future uncertain.
Speaking to journalists after presenting the petition, ICU Local Union Secretary Botwe Joseph said prolonged salary delays and uncertainty over the company's future had left workers and their families in severe hardship. He described how the company currently employs more than 1,000 workers across its junior and senior staff, producing a range of textile products.
Some workers shared emotional accounts of the impact of the prolonged salary delays. One employee, who said he had served the company for 35 years, disclosed that he earns less than GHS1,000 a month. Another worker said he receives GHS880 a month, but even that salary remains unpaid.
Receiving the petition, Asuogyaman DCE Godwin Bobobee assured the workers that their concerns would be forwarded through the Eastern Regional Minister to President Mahama. Bobobee expressed sympathy for the workers, describing their situation as difficult and assured them that the President would consider their petition. He urged the workers to remain patient and resilient as the government explores solutions to restore the factory to full operation.