The Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry (GhCCI) has warned of an impending nationwide demonstration.
A statement signed by the Chamber’s CEO, Mr Emmanuel Cherry, on Monday, 26 October 2020, indicated that payments for workers in the sector have been delayed, especially with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Chamber is well aware of the challenges the non-payment for works done have caused especially in this coronavirus era to the Contractors and its multiplier effect on other professionals in the built environment. Indeed the ripple effects of the delayed payment in its value chain have had devastating consequences on the economy of Ghana as a whole,” the statement read.
According to the statement, the Chamber’s leadership engaged the government in 2019 but have not received any positive feedback.
The Chamber is, therefore, giving the government a 14-day ultimatum “to come out with a reasonable and transparent payment plan which is to ameliorate the long-suffering of the affected construction workers, suppliers and contractors across the entire country Ghana by bringing finality/closure to this impasse”.
Read the full statement below:
NATIONWIDE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS AND CONTRACTORS DEMONSTRATION LOOMs SOON.
The Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry (GhCCI) writes to salute Contractors and all its Constituent Members and for the sterling leadership shown in managing the heightened tensions and associated agitations in the Construction Industry during these difficult times in their trades as a result of the Government huge indebtedness which has led to the loss of jobs and properties used as collateral etc.
The Chamber is well aware of the challenges the non-payment for works done have caused especially in this coronavirus era to the Contractors and its multiplier effect on other Professionals in the Built Environment. Indeed the ripple effects of the delayed payment in its value chain have had devastating consequences on the economy of Ghana as a whole.
However, the leadership of the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry has since August 2019 during the last tripartite negotiations with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and Ministry of Roads & Highways roadmap was arrived at but which has also been thrown overboard for reasons best known to the two Ministries.
Accordingly, the leadership of the Chamber is still appealing to all the aggrieved and affected Contractors, Consultants, etc of the Professional Institutions, Trades and Artisanal Associations and other Service Providers in the Built Environment to remain calm and keep faith whiles Chamber leadership gives Government through GETFUND, ROAD FUND, PDS/MINISTRY OF ENERGY, MINISTRY OF FINANCE, MINISTRY OF WORKS & HOUSING, MINISTRY OF SANITATION & WATER RESOURCES, etc some 14 days period ultimatum to come out with a reasonable and transparent payment plan which is to ameliorate the long-suffering of the affected Construction Workers, Suppliers and Contractors across the entire Country Ghana by bringing finality/closure to this impasse. “In sharp contrast, wives are still asking their husband Contractors and Consultants the whereabouts of the money His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo supposedly paid to the Contractors for a joyous celebration of 2019 Xmas”.
The leadership of the Chamber wish to caution that it should not be blamed nor held responsible for any damning consequences if the Presidency through it Agencies fail to address the outstanding payment brouhaha immediately and the threat of demonstrations and other forms of venting the displeasure of Contractors, Consultants and Suppliers at this time of the year although said information has been made known to the Government by the Chamber on several phone calls and meeting platforms.
The Chamber would once again want to thank the Building and Civil Engineering Contractors, Road Contractors, Consultants, Electrical Contractors, Tipper Truck Drivers, Artisans, Architects, Surveyors, Engineers, Financial Institution Workers and Suppliers for their patience and the confidence reposed in the Chamber leadership and respectfully advise them to wait for further instruction from the Chamber accordingly.
Thanks and regards.
Yours sincerely,
SIGNED:- MR. EMMANUEL CHERRY