Ghana gas workers denied entry to facility for demonstrating

Some 35 unionized workers of the Ghana National Gas Company Limited who demonstrated at the company’s Atuabo Gas Processing Facility at Atuabo in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region, were on Monday prevented from entering the facility.

They were denied entry by armed military and police personnel stationed at the entrance to the plant.

Some of the members who insisted on entering the facility according to Cit News sources, nearly clashed with the security personnel.

“Come to think of it, the security men said management have asked them to deny us entry because we are a threat to the facility. Does demonstrating against bad management practices and poor working conditions constitute a security threat? We have agreed to stay away because of Awulae [the Paramount Chief of Eastern Nzema Traditional Area Awulae Amihere Kpanyile who was recently made a board member of Ghana Gas]” a worker said.

Sources at Ghana Gas told Citi News that “the Operations Manager, Robert Lartey, informed us in an email that we can resume work on Monday. But to our surprise, 35 of us on shift today were denied access.”

The workers are scheduled to meet with the Ghana Gas Board Chairman and Petroleum Minister, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, this week.

Workers stage demo
Workers at the Atuabo Gas Processing plant last Friday embarked on a demonstration  to protest poor working conditions and have vowed not to relent until their issues are addressed.

The accused management of the Ghana Gas company of failing to improve their conditions despite the high risk nature of their jobs.

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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana