Committee presents report on AGC strike

Accra (Greater Accra) 2nd Sept. '99

The three-man fact-finding committee that investigated a strike at the Obuasi Mines of Ashanti Goldfields Company (AGC) on Wednesday presented its report to Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, Minister of Employment and Social Welfare. The 380-page report deals with investigations into circumstances leading to the strike action and allegation of involvement of non-employees and outsiders in fomenting labour unrest.

It also examined underlying issues, which became the bone of contention between the management and rank and file of the mine and made recommendations for the maintenance of long lasting industrial peace and harmony. Brigadier Henry Komla Anyidoho chaired the committee with Opanyin Obeng-Fosu, a private Industrial Relations Consultant and Mr S. B. Mettle, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ashanti Region as members. Brig. Anyidoho said a total of 63 witnesses were interviewed, some of whom were recalled to clarify certain pertinent issues. He said travel time and other difficulties did not allow the committee to meet the one-month deadline.

"Evidence, questions and answers are all on audio tapes and will be made available to the ministry...every page is signed by members of the committee." Brig. Anyidoho said public's interest in the committee's work was noted, but added that there were also media speculations and unfortunate conclusions in some of the newspapers even before the committee completed its work. He said the committee's work was not in camera to warrant such deep speculations. "The days on which the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Sam Jonah and Mr James Kwamena Anaman, General Manager for Corporate Affairs, Investors, Public and External Relations, appeared before the committee they did their own recording of proceedings."

Brig. Anyidoho said most of the witnesses signed their statements but some could not be reached to do so despite many trips to Obuasi and Accra. "In the case of the Chief Executive of AGC, he stated that he would only sign if the committee could give him a copy even though he did his own recording of proceedings on the first day he appeared before the committee, which we did."

He expressed the hope that the Ministry would find the report useful. Alhaji Mumuni said the Ministry is "deeply satisfied" with the diligence of the committee and thanked the members for their work. He said a detailed study of the report would be conducted and a critical look taken at the recommendations made. He said any decision would be based on the evidence in the report.

Alhaji Mumuni said it is important that local industries operate at optimal levels to be able to withstand the intense international competition. "We owe it to ourselves to maintain industrial peace and harmony while distancing ourselves from all that will divert us from productivity." "We believe that AGC...is a national asset that will always be seen as such." Those present at the ceremony included Mr Austin Gamey a Deputy Minister of MESW and Mr Anaman.