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GNAT descends on OSP for ‘blocking’ salaries of 404 teachers
Thomas Musah, the General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), has warned that the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) will be held accountable for any actions taken by teacher unions from next week if the salaries of some 404 teachers are not released by today, Friday, February 16, 2024. GNAT, NAGRAT, and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers, on February 14, gave the OSP a 72-hour ultimatum to release the salaries of the teachers or face their wrath.
The OSP is accused of withholding the salaries of 1310 teachers.
While the salaries of 906 teachers have been released, 404 are yet to receive their pay.
The Office claims to be investigating the presence of ghost names on the government’s payroll.
In an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Eyewitness News on Citi FM on Thursday, Mr. Musah argued that the OSP had no authority to withhold the salaries of teachers.
He further stated that if the remaining salaries are not released, the resulting action will be the responsibility of the OSP.
“By the close of Friday, we are reminding the OSP to do the needful by instructing the four banks to release the monies belonging to the teachers. If the OSP sees that any teacher has done anything wrong, they should go and deal with the Agency head. That is the Director-General. But the OSP has no business going to the bank to say that they should not be paid. There is no law that gives the OSP that particular right, and we will not take it kindly from Monday.”
“From next week, whatever happens, the OSP should be blamed, and they should trust us. We shall rise to the occasion and deliver…By the close of tomorrow if these monies are not paid, whatever happens from next week, the OSP should take full responsibility,” he stated.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammy Awuku, has expressed deep sorrow following the sudden passing of Isaac Batsa, the constituency secretary for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker issued a statement on Tuesday reacting to the news, which has shocked the local political community.
Mr.Awuku praised the late NDC secretary for his bipartisan approach to local governance.
He noted that despite their different political affiliations, Batsa consistently rose above party lines to serve the constituency with diligence.
The MP revealed that the news was particularly shocking given that he had last interacted with Batsa just three days prior on Saturday.
Concluding his statement, Sammy Awuku extended his heartfelt condolences to Batsa’s family, the constituency and regional executives, and the entire NDC fraternity, wishing the deceased peaceful eternal rest.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
