ICU-Ghana General Secretary Morgan Ayawine named Africa’s Most Respected CEO in Labour Leadership

Brother Morgan Ayawine, the General Secretary of the Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU-Ghana), has been declared Africa's Most Respected CEO in Labour and Union Leadership at the 2026 Africa’s Most Respected CEOs Conference and Awards held in Lusaka, Zambia. His recognition was awarded in recognition of his visionary leadership, business excellence, innovation, ethical leadership, and contributions to organizational success and sustainable economic development.

Despite being unable to attend the ceremony in Lusaka, a delegation from The Business Executive, the awards' organizers, presented the accolade to him at ICU-Ghana's National Secretariat in Accra on Thursday, August 13.

The award came with a plaque, certificate of achievement, medal, and other commemorative items. During the presentation, Brother Ayawine expressed gratitude to his colleagues, staff, and members of ICU-Ghana, as well as the stakeholders who have supported the union in advancing the interests of workers and employers. He emphasized the importance of constructive engagement between organized labor, businesses, and management for industrial peace and socio-economic progress.

Brother Ayawine also urged African governments, particularly those in Ghana, to create conditions that enable businesses and industries to remain viable. He highlighted the union’s role in supporting key corporate institutions, such as the National Investment Bank and Agricultural Development Bank, and argued that the success of these institutions was closely linked to the interests of workers and employers.

He stressed that the survival and growth of businesses were crucial for sustained job creation and employment security.

Brother Ayawine reaffirmed ICU-Ghana’s stance against decisions that could undermine strategic national enterprises and assets, citing the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) as an example. He called on business leaders to view organized labor as a partner in enterprise development rather than an obstacle to business growth, emphasizing the potential for stronger collaboration to improve productivity, service delivery, and industrial peace.

The recognition further highlights Brother Ayawine’s leadership within Ghana’s labor movement and ICU-Ghana’s commitment to constructive labor-management relations, enterprise sustainability, and job creation.