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19.03.2009 Crime & Punishment

Ten appear in court for failing to pay SSNIT contribution

19.03.2009 LISTEN
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Ten individual entities have been dragged to the Sunyani Circuit Court “A”, presided over by His Lordship Kwame Ohene-Essel for owing SSNIT a total amount of GH¢ 34, 377.6

They are Bibianiha Baptist Preparatory School which owes GH¢983.45, Awosent Sportswear Company Limited Sunyani -GH¢2, 528.08, Original Asase Aban Complex Ltd. -GH¢11,328.60, Excel Fuel Service Station at Drobo -GH¢1,647.60, Agyei Yeboah Enterprise -GH¢5,639.31, Peace Preparatory School, Wamanfo -GH¢6,534.83, St. Declan Preparatory School, Odumasi -GH¢1,054.42, Merydon Construction Ltd -GH¢3,104.55, Brong-Ahafo Network of NGOs -GH¢774.86 and Christ the King School, Jamdede - GH¢781.90.

During proceedings, the Presiding Judge, Ohene-Essel, noticed that all the accused persons lacked proper managerial skills, effective business communication skills and proper documentations. They do not also have company Lawyers to assist them with legal advices in running a company.

Mr. Ohene-Essel urged them not to rely on verbal business transactions, but always insist that all transaction were documented with the necessary information like -date, reference numbers, etc.

He advised them to employ the services of legal practitioners to assist them in dealing with matters such as SSNIT contribution and other contract agreements to forestall unnecessary problems. According to the Circuit Court Judge, many companies have themselves to blame because of the unprofessional mode of management. “We don't manage companies with such as a lethargic attitude, we must always do things in a professional way”, he stressed.

He also called on SSNIT to also have periodic interaction and education with Companies to help avoid future cases of defaulting in payment.

Despite his advice, Mr. Ohene-Essel forget his duty as a judge, by issuing a bench warrant for the arrest of the four other persons who could not attend court.

The four were Mr. John Agyei Yeboah of Agyei Yeboah Enterprise, Mr. Peter Subaab of the Brong-Ahafo Network of NGOs, Mr. Francis Adomah of New Trafford Lodge, and Mr. Kwaku Boateng of the Christ The King Academy.

The Circuit Court Judge cautioned that failure for them to appear before the Court even after settling the debt was against the law, explaining that it is the court that has the authority to discharge all defaulters. Therefore, no one should think that after settling the debts with SSNIT, the matter is ended. “The court can arrest you if you fail to appear before it”, he warned.

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