Miss Gifty Abena Turkson has been elected as the new Deputy General Secretary of the Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Ghana, marking a historic milestone as the first woman to assume the role in the union’s nearly 60-year history.
Her appointment was officially announced in a statement issued by TEWU’s General Secretary, King James Azortibah, following confirmation by the National Executive Council (NEC) during a two-day meeting in Accra. This decision was made in accordance with the union’s constitutional provisions after the untimely death of Brother Charles Kofi Osei, who was elected to the position during the 13th Quadrennial Delegates Conference in April 2024 but sadly passed away on April 12, 2025.
Miss Turkson’s elevation represents a significant stride toward gender inclusivity within TEWU’s leadership. Her appointment comes just a year after the union elected its first female National Chairperson, and now brings the number of women in national leadership roles to four, outnumbering their male counterparts for the first time.
Prior to her new role, Miss Turkson served as the Eastern Regional Industrial Relations Officer (IRO). She previously held the same position in the Upper West Region, where she was honoured as Overall Best Worker by the TUC. With over a decade of experience in labour relations, she is highly regarded for her commitment to workers’ rights and her contributions to progressive labour policy.
Her academic credentials are equally distinguished. Miss Turkson holds:
- A Master’s in Labour Policies and Globalisation from the Berlin School of Economics and Law
- A Master’s in Labour Studies and a B.A. in Management Studies from the University of Cape Coast
- A Diploma in International Labour Strategies from the University of Kassel, Germany
In addition to her professional duties, she serves as an online tutor with the Global Labour University (GLU) and has represented Ghana on international platforms, including as a student representative on the GLU Academic Board Steering Committee.
She is widely recognised for her scholarly work, including research on the impact of IMF bailouts on the informal economy and her ongoing advocacy for unity within the education sector. She has also been instrumental in organizing capacity-building workshops for women and young union members nationwide.
In a statement, TEWU’s national leadership expressed confidence in her ability to advance the union’s mission:
“We welcome Sister Gifty Abena Turkson to her new role and assure her of our collective support as we work together to elevate TEWU’s impact—championing improved conditions of service and enhanced welfare for our cherished members.”
With a strong foundation in grassroots activism, policy expertise, and international engagement, Miss Turkson is poised to lead TEWU into a new era of transformation, advocacy, and inclusive leadership.
Credit: Albert Kuzor
