Court issues bench warrants for the arrest of four people

Takoradi, Dec. 05, GNA - A Takoradi Circuit Court on Tuesday issued bench warrants for the arrest of proprietors of four companies who failed to appear before it for allegedly defaulting in the payment of workers contributions to Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).

They were Felix Ocloo of Takoradi Saddle Club Hotel, Dr Robert Kelly Acquaah of Saint Helier Clinic, Fred Paa Nii Nartey, Managing Director of Hardwood Timber Products and Kwabena Octhere Darko of "E"-Base Africa Limited.

The court presided over by Mr Justice George Koomson also ordered Daniel Amihere, brother of Francis Amihere, Managing Director of "A"-Team Concrete Works to be placed in prison custody for threatening the life of Madam Sophia Akwamuwor, one of the prosecutors for SSNIT. Mr Christian Victor Wood-Ackom, a SSNIT prosecutor told the court that the accused persons owed more than 750 million cedis in workers SSNIT contributions.

He said in spite of several reminders to them to pay up or contact SSNIT to arrange payment they failed to honour their obligations. In another development, the court adjourned to December 14 similar cases against directors of five companies.

They were Fastlyhn Shipping Agency, Oppong Kyekye Beer Distribution Company, Prophet Boateng Preparatory School, Hallmark Printing Press and Trafico Transport Company all based in Takoradi.

The adjournment was to give them the opportunity to settle their indebtedness or arrange to pay up with SSNIT.

Mr Wood-Ackom said they owed SSNIT more than 80 million cedis for non-payment of workers contributions and some of them had made part payment since the court action was instituted against them. Mr George Blege, Sekondi-Takoradi Branch Manager of SSNIT has warned the public to desist from threatening officers of the Trust. He told the Ghana News Agency that SSNIT officers by law had to be offered the needed assistance to perform their duties and anyone frustrating them would be prosecuted.

Mr Blege disclosed that since SSNIT instituted court action against "recalcitrant" proprietors sometime ago, it had retrieved several millions of cedis in workers contributions.

He reminded proprietors of businesses that SNNIT had flexible terms of payment for those who owed the Trust.