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Is scrapping of workers’ ESB best option for a state enterprise?
End-of-Service Benefit (ESB) is usually, a cash benefit that is paid to workers by their employers upon their compulsory retirement or when their services are abruptly terminated by their hiring institutions. This is calculated on the basis of last wage which the worker was entitled to namely the basic salary. Hence, it will not include allowances such as housing, conveyance, utilities, furniture among others. Also, a worker who has spent one year or more in continuous service shall be entitled to an ESB gratuity upon the termination of his service.
WHAT THE LAW STATES ABOUT ESB
The Labour Law makes it clear that if the term of service is less than one year, there is no eligibility for gratuity compensation. However, for service of more than one year, but less than five years, the entire gratuity compensation would be equivalent to 21 days of salary each year of service. For instance, if you have worked for a company for four years, your ESB gratuity would equal 21 days’ wage multiplied by four. Employees who have worked for more than five years, will get ESB gratuity of 30 days salary for each year worked beyond the five- year service.
The payment of ESB to workers which was restored by the National Tripartite Committee (NTC), representing the government, organised labour and employers in 2002, to supplement the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) Pension Scheme after it was frozen in 1990, was aimed at providing an enhanced financial security for the worker in retirement as a means of promoting equity, higher productivity and loyalty within the establishment or an organisation.
THE RELEVANCE OF ESB
This means that the ESB in its entirety is so relevant and beneficial to workers as they start their new lives during retirement from active service. It is, therefore, a scheme which needs protection and sustenance because life after retirement is very difficult and hectic. It is during retirement after 60 years of active service that you will realise that you need some form of financial support to tackle health issues, particularly medications and other medical issues and the only means of support especially when you do not have any dependant to supplement your meagre pension allowance, would be your ESB.
The framers of the Labour Laws were conscious of that shortcoming and the burden it would pose to pensioners, hence the fixation of the ESB into the law to cater for some of these problems and, therefore, need to be commended for their foresight. Any attempt by any state-owned establishment to on its own volition suspend or cancel the ESB, means it is insensitive to the plight of its workers and, therefore, acting callously and wickedly.
SUSTENANCE OF THE ESB SCHEME
What state-owned enterprises should do to sustain the scheme, is to ensure that funds accruing should be managed separately and independent of their enterprises. They should make sure that employees should as much as practicable have access to the benefits only when leaving the service of their employer. They must encourage parties at the enterprise level to explore the possibilities of modifying the operations of existing supplementary schemes to emphasise their terminal character.
It is important to state that the termination of the ESB scheme in 1990, attracted mixed feelings and agitations from workers especially those that were deemed disqualified by their enterprises and, therefore, received no benefits at all from their employers. It was on that premise that workers welcomed the announcement by government to restore the scheme in 2002.
NTC AT THE PUBLIC ACCOUNT COMMITTEE
When the Managing Director of the New Times Corporation (NTC), Mr. Martin Adu-Owusu, appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament recently, he painted a gloomy picture of the corporation, especially the lack of inflow of the needed funds to sustain and keep the operations of the NTC active.
The Auditor General in its 2020 report on Public Boards and Corporations noted that debtors of the state-owned media organisation have become numbed in redeeming their indebtedness to the NTC. Customers’ balances recorded by head office showed GHc196, 603.73 and GHc185, 935.76 in respect of stopped subscriptions and vendors as against GHc151, 932.93 and GHc 124,807.19.
The managing director told the committee that, though some of the debtors had started responding following a February 1, 2023, deadline, the NTC would be exploring legal action against recalcitrant ones. Hear the MD in part: “We have made several efforts including the Minister of Information writing to our debtors to do the needful. What we have done since last year, was to serve notices in our newspapers so that those who owe us will come and pay. The deadline was February 1, 2023. I have started receiving letters from the debtors coming to arrange for payments. From this stage, we will move a step further by taking legal action against the debtors because we have done all that we could but the situation is not improving”.
SAM NARTEY GEORGE’S ADVICE TO NTC DEBTORS
Indeed, one remarkable feature that needs commendation was the call by Sam Nartey George, Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram to individuals and organisations that are indebted to the NTC to redeem their indebtedness to enable the corporation to function effectively. He said the locked- up funds with the debtors go into running of the publisher and that their failure could run the corporation aground.
SUSPENSION OF ESB
Definitely, the New Times Corporation is confronted with huge financial problem to keep the corporation running. However, that should not give room for the managing director to announce an intention of either suspending or cancelling the workers ESB in the near future because the corporation is not in a healthy financial position to continue with the scheme. That to this writer who happened to be a former Editor of the Ghanaian Times newspaper and other well-meaning Ghanaians, will not be the best path to follow. Has the MD weighed the magnitude of his statement? He must realise that such a statement will automatically lower the morale of the workers and eventually affect productivity, knowing very well that they are not entitled to ESB when they retire from the corporation.
PAYING LIP-SERVICE TO NTC
It is sad that governments upon governments both in the past and present have always relied or depended on the New Times Corporation newspapers, especially The Ghanaian Times to prosecute their political agenda and other selfish interests yet they have failed to see to it that the corporation stood on its feet in terms of financial recapitalisation. Politicians see the NTC as a dumping ground for all kind of propagandist and other campaign materials and that to me in particular, had branded the corporation’s products as government newspapers and, therefore, people continue to feel reluctant to patronise them. Otherwise, how can a big corporation like the NTC print their newspapers at Graphic Corporation and Daily Guide for barely two years now without government’s intervention? Is it an intention to kill the fortunes of the corporation and turn around to acquire the NTC for selfish reason?
Indeed, the New Times Corporation, which is a state-owned media, arguably, has the Graphic Corporation as its major competitor in the newspaper industry. Today, Graphic is making it just because it has continued to set its priorities right by doing what it takes to rake in the needed revenue to support its operations and keep the corporation going. I sincerely believe that, Times can do same by identifying its problems and other shortcomings which include, chasing of its debtors by resorting to the law courts to recover the huge debt owed to the corporation by its creditors as well as repositioning and rebranding its products to attract readers and other patrons.
HELPING NTC TO DELIVER ON MANDATE
THE Information Minister, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, recently promised that his ministry was doing everything possible to help the New Times Corporation to come out from its present predicament and to make the place viable. It is the hope of many especially, workers and management of the NTC that this assurance will not be in futility.
Indeed, it was time the government and other well-meaning Ghanaians went to the aid of the NTC and help them out of their present challenges. The corporation has nurtured good talents in the past and still has a crop of journalists and other staff who should be supported to expand their horizon.
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By Charles Neequaye
When Abigail Fremah steps up to the Armwrestling table, the noise fades, the tension settles, and order takes over.
Despite a calm, but firm and meticulous disposition, she has become one of the quiet forces shaping Ghana’s growing reputation in the sport, not as an athlete, but a referee trusted on the continental stage.
Abigail’s journey into Armwrestling did not begin at the table. Like many Ghanaian sports enthusiasts, she grew up playing several disciplines. Football was her first love, but she also featured in volleyball and basketball during her school years. Sports, she says, was simply a way of life not just for her.
“It runs through the family. All my siblings are into sports,” she stated.
“I was involved in almost every sport in school, football, volleyball, netball, hockey; I did everything,” she recalls.
Her academic background in Health, Physical Education and Recreation laid a solid foundation for her sporting career. While on scholarship at the university (University of Cape Coast), she often used her modest budget to support young athletes, sometimes sharing skills and even T-shirts at programmes she attended. Giving back, she explains, has always been part of her motivation.
However, as she matured as an athlete, Abigail made a critical self-assessment.
“Armwrestling involves a lot of strength,” she admits. “Looking at my body type, I realised I couldn’t fit properly as a competitive athlete.”
That moment of honesty pushed her to a different trajectory but equally important path in sports; which is officiating.
During her National Service, she was encouraged by Mr Charles Osei Asibey, the President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), to consider officiating. He introduced her to a technical official, Mr Hussein Akuerteh Addy, who formally took her through the basics of Armwrestling officiating in 2021.
“I started as a case official,” she says. “We moved from region to region every week, officiating competitions. That’s where it all began.”
By 2022, Abigail was actively involved in national assignments, though she missed the African Championship that year. Her breakthrough came in 2023, when Ghana hosted the African Armwrestling Championship.
It was her first experience officiating at a major international competition and it changed everything.
“That was my first national and international exposure at the same time,” she says. “It really opened my eyes.”
Today, Abigail is a World Junior Armwrestling Referee, a status earned through performance, consistency and discipline. She explains that progression in officiating was not automatic.
“It’s all about performance, your appearance at African Championships, your conduct, how you handle pressure; that’s what takes you to the world level,” she stressed.
As a referee, Abigail’s priority is safety and fairness. Armwrestling, she notes, comes with risks, particularly injuries to the wrists, elbows, shoulders and arms.
“If athletes don’t follow the rules or refuse to listen to officials, injuries can happen,” she explains, adding that focus was everything.
Before every match, she ensures that all equipment which includes elbow pads, hand pegs and table alignment were properly set. Athletes are not allowed to cover their elbows, must grip correctly, and must follow the referee’s commands precisely.
“We make sure everything is fixed before the grip,” she says. “Once we say ‘Ready… Go’, there should be no confusion.”
She is also firm on discipline. Warnings are issued for infractions, and repeated misconduct attracts penalties.
“The referee must be respected, if you don’t listen, the rules will deal with you,” she says.
Abigail credits her confidence partly to her sporting family background. Her mother was a volleyball player, while other family members also participated in sports. Though they were initially concerned about her safety, her rise to the top reassured them.
“They were afraid at first,” she admits. “But they were also very proud, especially because some of them never got the opportunity to reach this level.”
Looking ahead, Abigail is optimistic about the future of Armwrestling in Ghana. In less than a decade, the country has produced African and world-level medalists, a sign, she believes, of great things to come for Ghana.
“Whenever we go out, we come back with medals such as gold and silver,” she says, and to her that was a sign of growth.
In the next five to ten years, Abigail sees herself rising to become a World Master Referee, the highest officiating level in the sport. Until then, her routine remains intense, training four times a week, working closely with athletes, standing on her feet for hours, and constantly refining her understanding of the rules.
“I love this sport,” she says simply. “That love is what keeps me going.”
Abigail encouraged women to be bold and intentional about their place in sports saying “don’t limit yourself because of fear or stereotypes.”
She also urged women to invest in learning, discipline and consistency, stressing that respect was earned through performance.
For Abigail, as Ghana’s armwrestlers continue to make their mark, she will remain where she is most effective at the table, ensuring the game is played right.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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As he had promised Aperkeh, the elderly man and his wife and three daughters stopped by Aperkeh’s parents’ house. Mr Amando and his family were preparing to settle in for the night.
“Brother Ben and family”, Mr Joshua Amando said warmly, “although I know you are here on a matter that can hardly be described as joyous, it is still good to see you. You are welcome. Please sit down while I bring you water”.
“Yes, we will take water, even though we are hardly thirsty, because this is our home”.
“Okay, Ben”, he started after they had drank, “Let me go straight to the point. My daughter Priscilla has told me about the goings on between her brother Aperkeh and our daughter Stella.
Before informing me, Priscilla had expressed concern to Aperkeh about some habits he is adopting, especially the late nights and the drinking. She tells me that one Saturday morning, she was there when Stella complained about his drinking and some girls who had come to the house to look for him, and he assaulted her.
I called him and complained, but all he could say was that I don’t know what caused him to react that way, so I could not judge him. Now he does not answer my calls.
I have sent Priscilla to his house to call him, but he has refused to come. Unfortunately, Ben, my son is a much different person than the young boy who completed university and started work at the bank. I am really embarrassed about his treatment of Stella”.
“Joshua, let me assure you that even though what is happening is very unfortunate, it will not affect our relationship.
We have been friends since childhood, and I thought that with their parents’ blessing, the relationship between Aperkeh and Stella would grow to become a blessing to all of us. But there appears to be a real challenge now.
Stella thinks that Aperkeh wants her out of his house, and indeed Aperkeh himself told me that, about an hour ago.
So I’m taking my daughter home. I suggest that you do what you can to straighten him out, but if it does not work out, let’s accept the situation and continue to be one family.
I am sure that being the well behaved girl that she is, Stella will meet a young man who will cherish her. Fortunately, this problem is happening early in the day, so they can sort things out if possible, or move on with their lives if they are unable to stay together”.
“I’m really grateful for that, Ben. I will do my best in the next few days to reason with him, because apart from the relationship with Stella, Aperkeh is risking his job and career with this lifestyle.
A good job and salary offers an opportunity to gather momentum in life, not to destroy yourself”.
“Okay Brother Joshua. We will say goodnight. I hope to hear positive news from you”.
As he descended in the lift from the fourth to the ground floor, Aperkeh wondered who would be waiting at the reception to see him at nine on Monday morning. He had spent good time with both of his new girls during the weekend, so it had to be someone else. He got out of the lift and pulled a face when he saw Priscilla.
“Priscilla”, he said as he sat down by her, “what do you want here? You know Monday morning is a busy time at the bank. I am a very busy person, so say what you want, I have work to do”.
“You are very funny, Aperkeh. You are telling me, your sister, that you have work to do, so I should hurry up? Okay, Dad says I should advise you to come home tonight, because he wants to discuss the issue of Stella with you. He sent me to you twice, and you did not come.
He has tried to call you quite a number of times, but you have refused to answer his calls. He says that if you do not come tonight, you will be very surprised at what he will do. He says you will not like it at all, so better come.
“What is all this? Why won’t you people leave me alone? Stella is very disrespectful. I told her that if she wanted to continue to live in my house, she must obey me. It is that simple.
She chose to continue ordering me about, controlling me in my own house, so I told her that if she could not live under my conditions she should leave. And she left. In fact, her own father came and took her away. So what again?’’
“How did she disobey or control you? Was she complaining about your continuous drinking and late nights? And did you slap her on several occasions because of that? Did you tell her that if she could not live under your conditions she should leave? You actually said that to her father? You have forgotten that before she came to live with you, our two parents met and agreed, and gave it their blessing?’
“Why don’t you leave, Priscilla? I don’t have to listen to all that”. “Okay, I will go. Your father who gave birth to you and educated you to university level sends me to you, and you ask me to leave? I wish you would defy him, and refuse to come home as he’s telling you, because he is planning to give you the discipline you badly need. Let me tell you. Stella is such a beautiful and decent girl, and I assure you that someone will grab her before you say Jack. You are only 30 years old, and you have already become a drunkard”.
As he walked towards the lift, Aperkeh decided on what to do. He would go home, and calmly listen to what his father had to say. The old man was very unpredictable, and he wouldn’t dare ignore him. So he would take all the insults and threats, but as for Stella she was history. According to Priscilla, Stella was beautiful and all that, but she had not seen the two curvaceous princesses who were all over him, ready to do anything he asked. And these were not barely literate waakye girls, but university graduates from wealthy homes, really classy girls. With stuff like that, who needs a waakye girl? He smiled as he took his seat.
A few minutes to five, Aperkeh was packing up to leave for home to meet his dad when his phone rang. It was Priscilla.
“Aperkeh, Dad says you don’t need to bother to come. Stella’s dad says she came to him early this morning to plead that she would rather stay at home than return to your house. She thinks you are already decided to be rid of her, and she does not want to risk being assaulted again. So it’s done. You can go ahead and enjoy the nice life you have started”.
Before he could tell her to go to hell, Priscilla hanged up the line. He was partially stung that his dad had virtually cut him off. The last thing anyone would want was to fall out of relationship with his own family, which had always supported him.
But the truth was he was no longer interested in Stella. What was wrong with going by one’s feelings? He could only hope that one day, his parents and sister would try to reason with him.
By Ekow de Heer
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