The application for a stay of execution filed in the Freetown High Court by Lawyer Terrence Terry as defence counsel in the matter between thirteen stranded Ghanaian crew as complainant and the ship owner has added more salt to injury.
After the Freetown high court presided over by Justice Ademusu had given an injunction demanding the Ghanaian ship. M.V.A. Hooligan Star to be impounded and its cargo sold, the cash strapped Ghanaians crew heaved a sigh of relief, hoping that their sixteen months unpaid salaries would be paid soon.
But as reported in our Wednesday January 30, 2002 edition, any hope by the 13-member crew was dashed when lawyer Terrence Terry filed a stay of execution on behalf of the ship owners.
Venting their anger at what they referred to as setback in their efforts to seek judicial remedy, the desperate Ghanaians told Standard Times yesterday that their patience was running out and that very soon, if the court fails to give them their right they will have no alternative but to make sure that both parties, that is, they and the ship owners forfeited by sinking the vessel in the high sea.
They further promised to evict the captain of the vessel, Emil K.Fayose from the boat, making sure that he doesn't enter the vessel until all their salaries were paid. They accused the Captain of being directly responsible for their predicament, adding that while he can feed himself everyday, they the crew go without food.
Asked whether the company has not gone bankrupt which is why they have not been paid for over sixteen months, the 13-man crew said the company is very viable as the boat has been doing lucrative business, running charter service for various governments and organisations including the Red Cross.
"Our Ghanaian people are just plain crooks and have no feelings for their fellow brothers," remarked one of the crew members who is expected to undergo a medical examination but said has no money. The stranded men said while they are suffering in a foreign land, their families back home are feeling the same pinch as they rely on the provision they send to them in Ghana.
They commended the Ghanaian High Commissioner here, Mr. Cabral Amihere who they said have been assisting them in one form or the other. "But the man cannot do more than what he has done, there are Ghanaians here who need his assistance, too," they added, They Mr Amihere has made personal contacts with the boat owners in Ghana but they just ignored the High Commissioner's concern in the matter.
"So if we cannot get justice as speedily as possible, all we can do is to sink the boat," they reiterated.
The MVA Hooligan Star entered our territorial waters since July last year and is anchored off the Moa Wharf, east end of Freetown.
