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The ugly face of partisan politics has found its way into the affairs of Ghana’s transportation Association.
Deep throat sources at the camp of the ruling New Patriotic Party’s Accra base militant group Invincible Forces have confirmed their readiness to compellingly takeover the Kotobabi down Lorry Station if “the so called current G.P.R.T.U executives refuse to willingly relinquish power to their NPP cronies”.
There is grave division among some non-G.P.R.T.U drivers and executives of the Ghana Private Road and Transport Union at the Kotobabi down lorry station resulting in protracted quarrel and infighting.
Spokesperson and ringleader of the breakaway drivers who have formed an illicit Co-operative union, Sylvester Kwakye a.k.a “Abgala man”, mentioned in a secret recording steered by United Press for Development’s Investigative department (The Owl Undercover Investigators) that (in Akan language) “do you know something? Our party is in power now and we will do everything to take over from them, President Akufo-Addo can’t even stop us, we will use the invincible forces and our MP to push them out, I am serious”.
For a moment , one will think, what has politics got to do with transporting Ghanaians? But that is not the case at the Kotobabi down branch of the nation’s transport Association, Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (G.P.R.T.U).
There have been series of unrest, agitation, misunderstanding and bloody clashes between two factions at the said lorry station for over twelve (12) years. On one of such occasions, our detectives who were fascinated after witnessing the scene became concern to uncover the reason(s) behind the massive tension at that very lorry station.
OUR FACTUAL FINDINGS
Below are some of the factual findings we uncovered as motives behind the problem at the Kotobabi down Lorry Station:
Fact 1: the following are the names of the breakaway drivers, illegal cooperative union associates and former executives who embezzled funds as stated below in fact four (4).
Sylvester Kwakye a.k.a “Abgala man”
Reuben Hammond a.k.a “Wofa Yaw”
Thomas Baidoo a.k.a “Abolowey” former leader
Kwesi Acheampong a.k.a “Ano ponk”
Isaac Asumaya a.k.a “Ofiri Gyato”
Isaac Debrah a.k.a “Opusu”
Kofi Macho
Eric Hammond a.k.a “Nii Adu”
Fact 2: It is worthy to note that, before the situation will proceed to the Accra High court, unsuccessful attempts have been made by the local Chiefs, Kotobabi Police Station and the Sub-metro to harmoniously settle the case.
Fact 3: the defendants (breakaway drivers) who bonded to the court’s ruling that they will move from the disputed lorry station to form their Co-operative transport union were discharged after court proceeding.
CASE NO. D2/236/10 (THE REPUBLIC VRS WISDOM FIAKPORNU & 18 OTHERS): ACCRA, CIRCUIT COURT (BEFORE HER HONOUR NANA ADWOA COLEMAN)
States: …the Sylvester Kwakye and Thomas Baidoo a.k.a “Abolowey” led breakaway drivers and it former executives owe the Kotobabi down G.P.R.T.U total sum of GHS 6,399.16, this is as a result of financial misconduct, misappropriation and embezzlement.
The Audit Service’s report on the “ACCOUNTS OF KOTOBABI DOWN BRANCH OF G.P.R.T.U” and signed by ASS. AUDITOR GENERAL, ROBERTA QUASHIE (MS), makes the following revelations:
“Our audit revealed that total cash at hand amounted to GHS 6, 399.16. Executives however could not produce this for verification. We recommended that the executives should account for the amount of GHS 6, 399.16”
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT / TERMS OF SETTLEMENT
Accra High Court (Fast Track Court 2) with suit number BMSC 389/2004
(a) “Defendants shall pay back to the Kotobabi Down branch of the G.P.R.T.U 2/3 of the amount of GHC 6,399.16 that could not be produced for verification by auditors in May, 2008 when the defendants were members of the executive of the branch”
Fact 4: the breakaway drivers who have refused to pay their debt (in fact 4) and loans they superintended amounting to GHS 3,581.00 as quoted on the SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT/TERMS OF SETTLEMENT:
“Loans for members in the amount of GHS 3,581.00 are to be recovered and paid back to the Kotobabi down branch of G.P.R.T.U with assistance of the present leaders of the Kotobabi down branch”.
“All payments shall be by instalment over a period of eighteen (18) months”
Evidence available to United Press for Development Network’s investigative department indicates that, the agreement that was issued has not been adhered to.
Fact 5: The breakaway drivers also violated the Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s order to relocate to Abavana Down but insisted that they will continue to operate their unlawful association (Co-operative union) from the same premises the G.P.R.T.U works.
A Letter signed by HON. VICTOR QUARSHIE ADONOO (SUB METRO CHAIRMAN) and addressed to MR. THOMAS BAIDOO (PRESIDENT, CO-OPERATIVE TRANSPORT SOCIETY, KOTOBABI DOWN, ACCRA) with reference number AMA/CA/09/08 and dated 26th March 2010 states:
“With reference to our meeting held at the Sub Metro office dated 26th March 2010, I write to inform you that your Society has been relocated to Abavana Down, a park near the Pentecost church as your new station. You are cordially invited to the office on Thursday 29th April 2010 at 10:00am to officially show you the location”.
Fact 6: The ROAD COURT, ACCRA (CASE NO. D21/235/10) order to relocate the breakaway drivers was also dishonoured.
“ORDER TO RELOCATE: WHEREAS this matter came on before Her Honour Nana Adwoa Coleman (Mrs.) in the presence of Superintendent Boye for the prosecution and all accused persons: AND WHEREAS the court has been informed by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly that Co-operative Transport Society has been relocated to Abavana Down to a park near the Pentecost Church as their new station. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Co-operative Transport Society should relocate to Abavana Down, the said park near the Pentecost Church as their new station for the maintenance of peace and stability. IT IS ORDERED that the relocation should be completed by 2nd June 2010”
Fact 7: The breakaway drivers who are poised to do everything possible to take over the lorry station are currently using the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayawaso Central and Deputy Interior Minister, HON. HENRY QUARTEY and National Security to threaten the life of the current G.P.R.T.U executives.
Fact 8: The breakaway drivers are set to roll their ultimate plan which is to attack the current G.P.R.T.U executives with their NPP Invisible force, if the move instigated on their behalf (breakaway drivers) by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and Central Ayawaso Sub Metro executives to breach Article 3 of the G.P.R.T.U Constitution if the gross impunity fails. The new AMA and Central Ayawaso Sub Metro executives are compelling the current G.P.R.T.U executives to swallow the bitter pill by registering the breakaway drivers back into G.P.R.T.U without prior observation and monitoring of such recalcitrant members who have misconducted, embezzled and have refused to reimburse. A move G.P.R.T.U constitution frowns upon.
Beyond that, all amount owed the GPRTU by the former executives (breakaway drivers) is pending annulment as soon as they become official members and hold executive positions in the Association.
Our independent investigation has unravel that, the current G.P.R.T.U executives are poised to protect the sanctity of the G.P.R.T.U of Ghana Trade Union Congress 2015 promulgated Constitution.
Our motherland is hugely unsafe if this trend perseveres. The OWL UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATORS are on the grounds to expose enemies of the Nation.
Source: The Owl Undercover Investigators
