We are not shutting down or laying off workers – Kempinski denies report

Management of 5-star Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra has denied assertions by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, that it will lay off about 85% of its staff as a result of the effect of the novel Coronavirus on the business.

The Finance Minister earlier sought to explain the gravity of the effect of the global pandemic on businesses in the country and cited Kempinski Hotel as an example of a firm which has been hard hit.

“For a hotel like Kempinski which has about 400 workers, they are letting 340 go home. They are closing about four floors of that hotel…it is a sobering moment… we do get panic attacks as we wake up thinking of how best to do it,” he said on the floor of Parliament late Friday night,” he stated.

But the hotel in a statement regarded the information as false adding that the Hotel has no plans to shut down or layoff any of its staff

“Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra is aware of news stories circulating in the media about an imminent retrenchment and possible closure of the Hotel in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This news is incorrect. Hotel Management wishes to clarify that the Hotel has no plans to close down or retrench any of its staff at the moment.”

“We observe and follow the strict guidance and recommendations by the national and local authorities and we have put in place significant measures to ensure smooth business continuity. The well-being of our guests and staff remain our utmost priority."

Below is the statement