The Ghana Highway Authority Retired Staff Association (GHARSA) has appealed to the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) to consider the payment of arrears due single man contractors (SMCs) in the country.
The National Chairman of the GHARSA, Nana Ninsin-Imbeah II, made the appeal through the Deputy Chief Executive (Maintenance) of the Authority during a joint meeting of the staff and retired staff of the Ghana Highway Authority in the Western Region.
The GHARSA Chairman pleaded that the GHA finds ways and means to, as a matter of urgency, clear all arrears of SMCs for works done from 2019 to 2022.
Nana Ninsin-Imbeah II also suggested that the GHA must consider the payment of interest on delayed payments for work done by SMCs in the same way the other contractors for road works enjoy.
He noted that positive response to their plea would help alleviate the plight of the contractors.
The SMCs are engaged by the Ghana Highways Authority (GHA) and are responsible for the clearing of weeds along road shoulders throughout the country to make stretch of roads visible.
They also desilted culverts and drains to help prevent overflows of running waters unto the streets and roads and thus help to prolong the lifespan of such roads.
However, these contractors have not been paid for executed jobs since 2019 hence the appeal.
GHARSA’s appeal is a follow up to a similar petition to the President in 2021 to ensure that the government releases funds to pay contractors and single man contractors (SMCs) in the road agencies.
Inj. Lawrence L. Lamptey, Deputy Chief Executive of the Ghana Highway Authority entreated the workers to work hard to uplift the image of Authority. He thanked the Retired Staff for their great contribution to the growth of the Authority during their tenure of office.
The Western Regional Highway Director, Inj. Seth Komeng Ofori thanked the Deputy Chief Executive for the visit to the region and the interaction with the staff and the retired Staff.
During the meeting some members of staff of the Authority who are due for retirement were presented with parting gifts in accordance with conditions of service of the GHA.
Some of the retired staff of the Ghana Highway Authority praised Ing Seth Komeng Ofori for supporting workers whenever the need arose.
Also at the meeting was Sister Vivien Letitia Tetteh, Western Regional GHARSA Chairperson, who is also the National GHARSA Assistant Secretary.
