Workers of the Irrigation Company of Upper Region (ICOUR) in the Upper East Region have thrown their support behind the Ministry of Agriculture for turning down a request for two-year post-retirement contract by the Managing Director of the company, Dr Benedict Bonaventure Aligebam.
The workers, who are represented by the General Agricultural Workers’ Union of the Trade Union Congress, Ghana, said the Ministry’s decision not to grant the post- retirement contract is justified.
“The sector Minister’s directive is firmly grounded in ICOUR’s corporate policy, in conformity with public policy and the laws of Ghana. Hence, our support for his decision.”
On February 2, 2024, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Bryan Acheampong, wrote to the Board Chairman of ICOUR conveying the Ministry’s decision not to extend the stay in office of the Dr Aligebam. The Ministry, however, granted a three-month post-retirement contract to among other things enable steps to be taken for a suitable replacement and ensure a seamless transition.
This was after the Board Chairman, in writing, requested for a two-year post-retirement contract for Dr Aligebam who was due for retirement on December 7, 2023.
In a statement, the workers’ union said although the three-month contract elapsed on March 7, 2024, Dr Aligebam is still at post office.
The union said the conditions of service for workers of ICOUR, which Dr Aligebam is subject to, has made no provisions for post-retirement contract for any category of staff.
The union feared that if Dr Aligebam is granted the two-year post-retirement contract and allowed to stay in office, that would create a dangerous precedent for possible future abuse.
“The Conditions of Service (CoS) document for all ICOUR workers has made no provisions for post-retirement contract for any category of staff which Dr Aligebam is subject to, per his Letter of Employment. It is the main reason that no past manager has ever been granted post-retirement contract,” they stressed.
The workers have, therefore, appealed to the chairman of the Board, Stephen Yakubu, the Upper East Regional Minister to ensure that Dr Aligebam goes by the directive of the Minister of Agriculture and hand over.
The statement continued that, “We also appeal to the sector minister, Dr. Bryan Acheampong (MP), to be firm on his decision. For he is right and he should stop at nothing but the truth.
“It is the hope of GAWU members that Dr Aligebam will respect the sector minister’s directive and the rules of the company and embrace his retirement with joy. This, in our view, will preserve his image and dignity. For as the saying goes, the best time to take a bow is when the applause is loudest.
“Meanwhile, the union is monitoring events and shall advise itself accordingly in the coming days, based on circumstances that shall unfold following the sector minister’s letter,” The statement concluded.
Story by Senyala Castro