Togolese opposition leader broke. His steel factory in Tema closed down

Tema (Greater Accra) 3 Nov. '99

Tropical Metallic Construction Company Limited (TMCCL), a steel design, fabrication and construction company at Tema owned by Mr Gilchrist Olympio, the Togolese opposition leader, closed down on Monday due to financial difficulties.

Management has locked out the 120 workers and seven policemen are guarding the company's premises with sniffing dogs. Mr James Yaw Adraki, Vice Chairman of the company's local union, told newsmen outside the factory premises that Mr Olympio invited the union executives to Accra on Thursday, October 28, to brief them about his intentions to close down the factory.

According to Mr Adraki, Mr Olympio was purported to have told the executives that he (Olympio) expected management to work and pay workers with the resources provided, but they could not do so.