XYZ Radio belongs to David Lamptey- Family members yell
Accra, July 9, GNA - The family of the late Mr David Lamptey, Proprietor of Radio XYZ, on Monday dismissed the claim of ownership of the Accra-based FM station, by Colonel Lawrence Attachie, former Military Assistant at Osu Castle.
The source who spoke to Ghana News Agency on the condition of anonymity for personal reasons, said the claim made by Col Attachie in the media should not be taken seriously since the history behind the formation of the company proved otherwise.
She said the station was established on February 2, 2012 after a test transmission on November 2011 at her father's Kikiriki house at Osu in Accra.
She said Col Attachie who was a friend to his daddy was asked to assist with the processes of getting the project started.
'Mr David Lamptey solely bank rolled the purchase of equipment, getting a frequency for the station as well as an operating licence.
'Although Mr David Lamptey was the sole proprietor of the company the registration process called for two directors and so the Army Officer assumed that position and advertently made himself a 10 per cent share holder. Although his action annoyed my dad he allowed sleeping dogs to lie, 'she said.
The source alleged that when her father died, Col Attachie made frantic efforts to take over the station and to achieve this objective he wrote a letter to the staff as follows: 'Following the recent demise of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of XYZ Broadcasting Limited, it has become necessary to re-organise the company as from December 31, 2012.
'We therefore regret to inform you that there will be a temporary closure of the company.
'As we do not expect to maintain staff during this time we hope that you will opt to accept a month's salary as severance pay in accordance with the labour laws and your employment contract.
'We thank you for all the hard work you have invested in the company. Your unwavering support and excellent work have been invaluable to us and we from the Management wish you all the best in your future endeavours.'
On April 23 he also authored the circulation of a Memo which read: 'I am directed by the Board of Directors to inform all staff that Radio XYZ would undergo restructuring and refurbishment to upgrade output and bring it to a level of competiveness in the industry.
'An opportunity is being offered by everyone who by December 31 was a member of staff to reapply for the same or any other position desired for consideration on or before April 30, 2013.'
She alleged that on April 28, Col Attachie instructed the technicians at the Aburi Transmission Station to shut down the media outlet 'and so the Radio Station was taken off air'.
The source said the timely intervention of Ms Cynthia Lamptey, daughter of Mr David Lamptey and other stakeholders is what brought Radio XYZ back on the air and has kept it running until now.
She said Ms Lamptey is not fighting anybody to take over the station, but her only demand is that the media house should remain exactly the way her father left it, until a court otherwise decide.
The source claimed that Col Attachie had blocked the accounts of the station and subsequently the workers have been left unpaid for months.
'Despite the lack of salaries the workers have decided to put up their best in honour of Mr David Lamptey.'
Ms Lamptey and the family members of the late business magnate commend the staff of the station for their sacrificial and selfless devotion to duty in the face of the current financial difficulties they are going through.
'But for them we will not be talking about Radio XYZ today,' she said.
'The workers said they will not allow XYZ, which they believe is Mr David Lamptey's legacy to die. They have resolved to sacrifice everything to make sure that the station remains afloat to contribute to Ghana's democracy.