Some retrenched workers of GWCL miss out on tools package

Ho, Feb. 26, GNA - Over 50 retrenched workers of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in the Volta region seemed to have missed out on a tools package, as part of the company's retraining and resettlement programme for affected workers.

Only 43, out of about 90 such former workers, who called at the Company's offices in Ho on Friday, were listed as those to receive the tools.

Some of them, who called at the offices of the GNA in Ho with testimonials as proof of having completed their apprenticeship, alleged that the consultant could not explain to them why their names were not on the list.

Mr Joseph Tetteh Adjavon, one of the former workers said, the consultant did a poor job and described it as "a stab in the back of the workers".

Mr Samuel Amudzi, a former security man of the company said he and four others hired a taxi from Sogakope in the South Tongu district to Ho with the hope that they would receive their tools but he was told that his name was not on the list.

Mr Agbedzodzi Adalete, who also could not hide his disappointment, said they were given orientation before the retrenchment exercise, after which they took up training in various trades. He said they could not survive on the retrenchment money alone and appealed to the consultant to find a solution to the problem. Mr Cephas Donkor, the Consultant told the GNA that about 1,605 people were retrenched by the GWCL in 2005. He said before the retrenchment, those who were to be affected were given pre counselling to condition them towards the retrenchment. Mr Donkor said they were given entrepreneurial and skills training after which they were asked to learn the trades of their choice. He said many of them were "dazed" by the money given them and could not complete the process. Mr Donkor said only 414 people nationwide followed the process and were therefore eligible for the package.