GAWU condemns use of dogs on humans

Accra, May 13, GNA - Unilever Ghana should take full responsibility for the callous act of releasing dogs to brutalise humans beings at the Benso Oil Palm Plantation (BOPP), the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has said.

It said the Management of BOPP, a subsidiary of Unilever, should take cognisance of their enviable reputation and protect the farmers and to help to resolve the matter rather than justifying or disassociating itself from the ruthless acts of Delta Security, the company they had hired to protect their plantation.

GAWU said that would amount to shirking of responsibility 'and accepting irresponsibility as the norm''.

A press release signed by Mr Samuel Kangah, General Secretary of GAWU, and issued on Thursday in Accra said; "be it as it may GAWU without any reservation condemns that barbaric act of Delta Security Services, agents of BOPP, for releasing dogs on farmers just on suspicion that BOPPs' palm bunches are being stolen.

"It is unimaginable that in this age and date, after so many years of the death of apartheid regime, people can still act so callously and inhumanely in such uncivilized ways when there are clearly defined and properly functioning legal systems to deal with cases of suspicion and theft."

The GAWU urged Delta Security to go to the aid of the victims with the appropriate compensation ''for wrong accusation and brutality'' and as well foot the medical bills incurred by the said farmers.

It said the GAWU would be willing to facilitate in the mediation process, adding that the Company - inhabitant human relations should be revisited to allow for equitable distribution of the gains of development.

''All stakeholders should remember that development is no development when the very poor, who are supposed to be elevated from poverty, do not share in the gains and the rich become richer leaving the poor poorer'', it said.