Central Regional Minister to appear in court

Days after the President, John Kufuor reprimanded him, for seizing a taxi cab for alleged reckless driving, the woes of the Central Regional Minister, Isaac Edumadze MP deepens. He is to be taken to court by three employees of CEDECOM, who he dismissed, the Dispatch newspaper reports say.

Solicitors of the three, Gaisie, Zwennes, Hyghes and Co, sent a letter, dated July 12, 2001, giving him 14 days to withdraw the letters of dismissal. The letter was among others, copied to the CEDECOM Board of Directors and the Chief of Staff and Minister for Presidential Affairs, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey.
The letter from the solicitors says,
"Your three set of letters on re-assignment, query and summary dismissal have been refereed to us and we do hereby react accordingly.
As much as we appreciate your desire to endure "a prudent and judicious use of resources CEDECOM section 1.0 of CEDECOM Employment Manual defines the five units or Departments within CEDECOM into which employees shall be engaged.
The purported dismissal of our clients has no basis in law and sins against the contract of employers, CEDECOM. It is CEDECOM Board and not its chairman who can dismiss employees upon the commission of any of the offences, which fall under section 5.2 of CEDECOM Employment Manual.
We fail to appreciate your purported authorisation for the dismissal of our clients when in fact you have unilaterally dismissed them in blatant and continuous disregard for the rules and regulations governing CEDECOM.
We have instructions to demand from you, as we hereby do, the withdrawal of the letters of summary dismissal to our clients.
Our further instruction is to proceed to the law courts to vindicate the rights of our clients should you fail or refuse to accede to this request within 14 days.
Please be advised accordingly."
The President last week reprimanded the regional minister over his behaviour in the encounter with the taxi cab driver.