UNICOF General Secretary under probe

General Secretary of the Union of Industry, Commerce and Finance (UNICOF), Mr John Esiape is being probed over $35,000 cash he is alleged to have received to fight the management of Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).

He is also being probed for allegedly doubling his salary from GH?7,000 to GH?14,000 in less than one year that he assumed office without following due process.

The Executive Committee of UNICOF, which is undertaking the probe based on a petition by UNICOF workers, is expected to meet the workers this Friday to give them feedback on their findings.

Sources familiar with the matter told The Finder that allegations making the rounds in the media that Mr Esiape received $35,000 bribe has negative consequences for the union, hence the need to probe the matter to establish the truth or otherwise of the allegation.

According to the sources, establishing the truth or otherwise of the allegation was necessary to protect the reputation of UNICOF and bring finality on the matter.

The sources also noted that workers of UNICOF presented two different petitions to the Executive Committee of UNICOF.

They told The Finder that one borders on the alleged $35,000 bribe and the other was on issues of Mr Esiape’s salary increase, administrative style, among others.

The angry workers stated that Mr Esiape’s alleged GH?14,000 salary is the highest among general secretaries of all trade unions in the country.

According to them, Mr Esiape’s responsibility allowance is alleged to be higher than the highest paid worker at UNICOF.

The UNICOF workers told The Finder that after meeting the Executive Committee of UNICOF on Friday and assessing their findings, they will make public pronouncement on the various issues raised.

The Finder could not reach Mr Esiape for his reaction as his phone was off.