REGSEC calms striking prison officers in Kumasi

Kumasi, Sept. 15, GNA - The Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has called on Prison Officers in Kumasi to call off their strike action, which was staged on Wednesday morning to register their displeasure over the new salaries offered them, under the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS).

The striking Officers have meanwhile agreed to go back to work as the REGSEG assured them of sending a situational report to the relevant authorities for action, after a short meeting with the officials, at the Central Prisons at Adum, in Kumasi.

The REGSEC led by Madam Anima Wilson, Deputy Regional Minister, included Brigadier Ocran, Commanding Officer of the Northern Command of the Military; Regional Police Commander, DCOP Patrick Timbillah; a representative from the Immigration Service and other security agencies. Prisons Officers in the Kumasi Metropolis laid down their tools in the early morning of Wednesday September 15, 2010 to protest against what they described as salary disparities between them and the Police. No Police Officer was allowed to pick or bring in accused persons, to and from the premise and no visitors were allowed in.

A swift intervention by the RESEC prevented a clash between the Police and the Prison Officers, who wanted to prevent the Police Regional Commander from taking part in the meeting, because they alleged that he made scathing remarks about them on a Kumasi FM radio station. Some of the demonstrators, who claimed anonymity, threatened to go on strike again if their grievances were not addressed by Friday. 15 Sept. 10