Accra: The Aggrieved Civil and Local Government Staff of Ghana (CLOGSAG) has issued a stern warning to the government, advising against entering into negotiations with the leadership of CLOGSAG concerning the ongoing strike. The strike, which commenced on February 20, 2025, is in protest of Mr. Samuel Adom Botchway's appointment as Registrar of the Birth and Death Registry.
According to Ghana News Agency, during a news conference held in Accra, Mr. Prince Latif Oyekunle, the Public Relations Officer for the Aggrieved CLOGSAG Members, criticized the strike as 'self-serving and self-centered,' urging the government to dismiss the association's demands. He appealed to CLOGSAG members to disregard the strike directive and resume their duties to facilitate the continuous operation of government and public services.
Mr. Oyekunle highlighted that the strike had not achieved its intended outcomes, with some members continuing to provide services. He remarked that the strike's ineffectiveness demonstrated a disconnect between the interim national executives of CLOGSAG and the challenges faced by ordinary members.
He urged the government to refrain from engaging in negotiations with CLOGSAG leadership over the strike, labeling it as irrelevant. Mr. Oyekunle emphasized the need for the leadership to focus on more pressing issues, such as improving working conditions, member welfare, and addressing concerns related to pensions, fund mismanagement, and corruption.
In particular, Mr. Oyekunle questioned the leadership's failure to implement the Enhanced Salary Structure (ESS), despite previous industrial actions. He criticized the delay in executing the ESS, originally scheduled for January 2023 and then postponed to January 2025, describing it as illusory.
Furthermore, Mr. Oyekunle accused CLOGSAG's leadership of illegal activities, such as unauthorized withdrawals from pension funds, unlawful deductions, and manipulation of investment returns. He expressed concern over retirees holding key positions within the association, which he believed compromised its integrity.
He called for the immediate resignation of Mr. Isaac Bampoe-Addo, the Executive Secretary of CLOGSAG, and Mr. Benjamin Otto, the Acting President, to facilitate an investigation into their activities. Additionally, Mr. Oyekunle urged security agencies to conduct a forensic audit of CLOGSAG's accounts and investment portfolios to ensure financial transparency.
