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Monday, 3rd March 2025
To:
- All Aggrieved CLOGSAG Members
- All CLOGSAG Members
- All Media Houses
- The Good People of Ghana
Subject: Developments in the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG) – Strike Action and Related Matters
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We warmly welcome you to this important press conference.
First and foremost, we wish to emphasize that all members of the Aggrieved CLOGSAG Members are dedicated and active members of CLOGSAG. This press conference has become necessary due to the unlawful strike action declared by the leadership of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG), led by the Executive Secretary, on Thursday, 20th February 2025, and re-affirmed on Monday, 24th February 2025.
We have disregarded this strike because we believe it is unwarranted, self-serving, and does not address the pressing issues affecting CLOGSAG members. Instead of focusing on real concerns such as welfare, better conditions of service, and financial accountability, the strike was rather centered on the appointment of an individual to the Births and Deaths Registry—an issue that does not reflect the daily struggles of our members.
The Strike Has Failed
We, the Aggrieved CLOGSAG Members, issued a statement urging all well-meaning members to disregard the directive from the National Executive Council (NEC) and remain at post to ensure the smooth delivery of government services. Many members heeded our call, demonstrating that this strike was unnecessary, uncalled for, and ultimately a failure.
We, therefore, urge the Government of Ghana not to enter into any negotiations with CLOGSAG leadership regarding this failed strike. The leadership has lost its legitimacy and does not represent the true interests of its members.
The Real Issues Confronting CLOGSAG Members
The failure of this strike exposes the incompetence of the current Interim National Executives, who have lost touch with the real challenges faced by ordinary CLOGSAG members across the country.
We wish to highlight the key concerns of members:
1. Non-Implementation of the Enhanced Salary Structure (ESS)
- The Enhanced Salary Structure (ESS) was supposed to take effect in January 2023 but was postponed to January 2025.
- However, the entire process has become a mirage, shrouded in secrecy and misinformation from the CLOGSAG leadership.
- Despite previous strikes, there has been no meaningful improvement in salaries, further exposing the incompetence of our leaders.
2. Unauthorized Withdrawal of Pension Funds
- The Executive Secretary, Isaac Bampoe Addo, and the Acting President, Benjamin Otto, illegally withdrew GHC 14,323,088.88 from the CLOGSAG Fund (a pension investment fund) to purchase vehicles for regional offices without due process.
- This violates multiple financial regulations, including:
- Article 21.4 (iii) of the CLOGSAG Constitution
- Public Financial Management Act 2016, Act 921
- Public Procurement Act 2003, Act 663 (as amended)
- We have ample documentary evidence to support this claim.
3. Illegal Tier 3 Deductions from Members’ Salaries
- Since February 2023, CLOGSAG leadership has illegally deducted funds from members’ basic salaries as Tier 3 voluntary contributions—without their consent.
- This violates the National Pensions Act (2008), Act 766, and no audited accounts have been provided to members.
- We are currently in court seeking justice on this matter.
→ The media is invited to our next court hearing on March 24th and 25th, 2025.
4. Manipulation of Members’ Investment Returns
- Treasury Bills offer 26-28% interest per annum, yet members receive only 14-18% on their CLOGSAG investments.
- However, when members apply for loans from their own contributions, they are charged 22% interest.
- Where does the rest of the investment return go?
5. Fraudulent Withdrawal of GHC 500,000.00
- The Executive Secretary and the Acting President fraudulently withdrew GHC 500,000.00 from CLOGSAG’s main account at Access Bank without legal authorization.
- The Police CID is currently investigating this financial crime.
6. Diversion of Funds for Personal Use
- Revenue from CLOGSAG-owned businesses, such as the CLOGSAG Band and Nathan Quao Auditorium, has been diverted to an unofficial bank account personally controlled by the Executive Secretary.
7. Illegal Takeover of Pempamsie Hotel
- The Executive Secretary secretly changed the incorporation status of Pempamsie Hotel to make himself the sole owner.
- He appointed himself Executive Director and collects a hefty salary without accountability.
8. Acting President Is Not a Legitimate CLOGSAG Member
- Benjamin Otto is a Chartered Accountant on the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) payroll and does not contribute to CLOGSAG.
- Under the Labour Act (2003), Act 651, GRA employees do not qualify for CLOGSAG membership.
- He is not affected by CLOGSAG’s conditions of service, yet he occupies a leadership position.
9. Retirees Running CLOGSAG
- More than half of the key positions in CLOGSAG are occupied by retirees, some of whom retired over 15 years ago.
- This is unacceptable for a labour union advocating for employment opportunities for its members.
10. Double Salary Scandal
- Despite being a full-time CLOGSAG employee since 2011, the Executive Secretary continues to receive a government salary, illegally drawing a double salary.
OUR DEMANDS
- Immediate resignation of the Executive Secretary, Mr. Isaac Bampoe Addo, and the Acting President, Mr. Benjamin Otto.
- Immediate termination of illegal Tier 3 deductions and a full refund to members, with interest.
- All retired officers occupying positions in CLOGSAG must resign immediately.
- A forensic audit into all CLOGSAG financial accounts, investments, and assets.
- Urgent national elections in line with the High Court ruling on 30th April 2024 (Suit No. GV0306/2023).
- Police CID must expedite investigations into the fraudulent withdrawal of GHC 500,000.00.
CONCLUSION
Ladies and gentlemen, the once-respected CLOGSAG has been hijacked by corrupt leaders, turning it into a family-and-friends business filled with mismanagement, fraud, and greed.
To every CLOGSAG member listening, your future and pension are at stake. Join the fight today before it is too late.
We shall be petitioning the President of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, National Labour Commission (NLC), the Ministry of Labour, the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), EOCO, and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) in the coming days.
LONG LIVE CLOGSAG! LONG LIVE GHANA!
Signed:
Aggrieved CLOGSAG Members
Contacts:
- 0246985319
- 0545246227
