Golden Star Mine workers demonstrate against General Manager

Prestea, Jan. 12, GNA - Workers of Golden Star Bogoso Prestea Limited have held a demonstration demanding the dismissal of Mr. Nigel Tamly, the General Manager of the Company, for allegedly showing disrespect to workers= , apathy and a general disregard for the labour union of the company. The demonstration, which started at 0800 hours on Monday, saw the workers wearing red head and arm bands and chanting war songs in the premises of the company.

They threatened to end the demonstration only if the general manager was removed but a timely intervention by Mr. Daniel Owiredu, Vice General Manager of the company, compelled the workers to suspend the demonstration. The workers gave Mr Owiredu a one week ultimatum to bring them a favourable response or else they would be compelled to continue the demonstration. The workers alleged that the General Manager, who assumed office four years ago, had not met the workers at any durbar. They described the General Manager as an autocratic leader who did not consult the workers on certain decisions affecting them.

They alleged that the management decision that led to the deduction of half bag of rice from their annual Christmas package was one major factor for the demonstration because they were not consulted. They said this compelled them to abandon an end-of-year get-together organized from their half bag of rice each in December 2010. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Prestea, Mr. Rammy Oboro, Community Affairs Manager, said the an internal issue prompted the demonstration but it had been resolved and workers had gone back to work. He suggested that workers use dialogue in solving industrial problems and avoid demonstrations that lead to disharmony in the company. He said management was ready to use dialogue, negotiation and other peaceful means to solve any industrial disputes.