Israeli In Trouble Over Sexual Harassment

The Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs has directed the Women and Juvenile Unit of the Police Service (WAJU) to investigate and prosecute an Isreali, Hugi Kollenger, the Factory Manager of Continental Export Ghana Limited based in Tema, for sexually harassing a female employee of his company.

Kollenger was alleged to have persistently harassed and proposed sex to the employee, Joyceline Apraku, but when she rejected his advances, he caused her dismissal from the company. The Special Assistant to the Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs, Mr. David Aidoo told ‘The Evening News” that after studying the employee’s petition, he directed her to lodge a formal complaint with the Police due to the criminal nature of the case. He added that the Ministry would closely monitor the case. Hugi, after successfully causing the dismissal of Ms Apraku, was said to have made an open remark that Ghanaian women were cheap and anytime he call them ‘Jack’ they followed him to bed.

Joyceline, in a petition to the Women’s Ministry stated that ever since she was employed at Continental Export a food processing firm, Kollenger had made several sexual advances towards her and whenever they were alone in the office, he normally fondled her breast and buttocks. She said, she had protested against these acts each time Kollenger did so, and this caused his displeasure. When Kollenger realised that she was not going to given in to his request, he caused her transfer as a Secretary in the main office to the factory. Ms Apraku said a few week later, a letter was given to her which was signed by the Administrative Manager stating that her appointment had been terminated.

When “The Evening News” contacted the Managing Director of the company, Mr George Agbodze, he confirmed that Ms Apraku had on several occasion reported the misconduct of Kollenger to him. He stated that a lot of the workers have also complained about the behaviour of the Isreali. According to him, about a month ago and employee called Courage Pinto, lodged a complaint that Kollenger had remarked that “Ghanaians are stupid people who should change their behaviour.”

]According to Mr Agbodza, he summoned Kollenger before the chairman of the company and asked him to explain the statement. He said the Isreali, realising that the case was taking a serious dimension apologized and said he made the remark because he was angry with a section of the workers. Mr Agbodza further explained that he also received a report about Kollenger that he instructed some workers to continue working late into the night, although there were no lamps at the section of the yard where they worked. He said the workers had to obey his instructions for fear of being dismissed.

According to him, the workers continued working until about 8.45pm when one of them, Samuel Osei, 27, fell from the roof top, apparently due to tiredness. He said the victim was hospitalised at the Tema Port Clinic for several days. The Managing Director explained that he was not happy about the numerous reports being made against his Factory Manager and promised to bring him to order.

However, when contacted, Kollenger categorically denied ever insulting Ghanaians and their president. However, when contacted, Kollenger categorically denied ever insulting Ghanaians and their President. He told this reporter (over a cup of coffee) that none of the allegations including that of sexual harassment were true. Kollenger, said “I love Ghana and her beautiful people, they are nice, that is why I have come to work and develop here, I cannot say such a thing”.