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Irate GBC staff threaten strike over withdrawal of allowances
Staff of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) have threatened to embark on a series of industrial actions if the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission does not reinstate their allowances. Samuel Nat Kevor, the Divisional Union Chairman of GBC, on Tuesday, May 23, urged the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to reverse its decision to withdraw allowances for staff or face consequences.
The withdrawal of allowances by the commission has caused dissatisfaction among employees who believe their hard work is not being adequately recognized and rewarded.
Employees are questioning whether the removal of allowances is a result of IMF conditions to reduce the wage bill. Under the new arrangements, some GBC staff will experience a 33% reduction in their current salaries. The employee union has also called for the dismissal of the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission.
The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission has initiated a Nationwide Payroll Monitoring Exercise with the Internal Audit Agency in accordance with the FWSC Act, 2007. During this exercise, it was discovered that some GBC staff are receiving allowances they are not entitled to, including rent, housing, utility, vehicle maintenance, and transportation allowances.
Mr. Kevor warned that if their allowances are not reinstated, they will take further industrial actions and legal measures to have them reversed. Credit: Citinewsroom
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
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
