Kumasi Prisons officers demonstrate over 'cheating' in their Single Spine

Prison officers unhappy with single spine

Officers of the Kumasi Central Prisons in Adum are demonstrating in front of the Prison over what they say are negligible increment in their salaries after the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure.

The Officers, wearing red arm bands have abandoned their duty posts, locked up the Prisons and currently burning car tires.

They are holding placards, with inscriptions; “Government what is Single Spine?”, “Pay us well”, “Come again, this is cheating”, “We are being cheated” etc.

The Officers say given what their colleagues at the police and fire services were offered under the scheme, their increment was simply an insult.

Some of the officers say the disparity in the salaries were so wide that low rank policemen are receiving better salaries than their higher ranked prison officers.

One prison officer claimed that while a Police Constable under the SSSS is earning as much as GH¢700, a Prison Constable is taking GH¢500.

Another officer told Joy FM's correspondent Elton John Brobby his new salary has been over taxed with over ¢90.00 deducted.

Elton says the higher ranked prison officers are not in favour of the actions being taken by the lower ranks even though they are also unhappy with the new salary structure.

The agitated officers say they will not stop the demonstration until something is done about the situation.