The Managing Director of the Irrigation Company of Upper Region (ICOUR), Dr. Benedict Bonaventure Alegibam, has raised concerns over an upcoming demonstration against him, organized by members of the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) under the Ghana Trade Union Congress (TUC).
He questioned the Union’s decision to organize a protest rather than pursue legal channels to address their grievances.
Speaking in an interview with our reporter, Moses Apiah, Dr. Alegibam said, “They should go to court. Or better still, they can go ahead and demonstrate; after all, they have nothing to do. Any group that thinks my stay at ICOUR is illegal is at liberty to go to court.”
His comments follow the Union’s announcement of a planned peaceful protest on October 24, 2024, over his alleged refusal to retire, despite demands from the company’s Human Resources Officer.
Dr. Alegibam also questioned the basis of the retirement allegations, arguing that his educational background and awareness of his retirement age make such claims unfounded.
“At this level of my education, are they saying that I don’t know when I was born or when I am supposed to retire?” he asked.
In response to allegations of mismanagement of company funds, Dr. Alegibam referenced his appearance before the Public Accounts Committee, where he claimed to have accounted for every penny spent by ICOUR.
Expressing disbelief over the Union’s questioning of his financial accountability, he stated, “Are they saying that the Public Accounts Committee does not know what it is doing?”
He further attributed the Union’s actions to ignorance or ulterior motives, stating that he works in an environment where “90% of people are either ignorant or have their own internal motives.”
Dr. Alegibam reiterated that anyone who believes he is holding the position illegally should seek legal recourse.
In a final appeal, he urged journalists covering the issue to remain neutral and avoid allowing personal biases to influence their reporting.
Referring to a media personality he perceives as biased, Dr. Alegibam stated, “I want you, my brother, to tell him that I won’t speak to him or come on his show to make him popular.”
The upcoming protest by the General Agricultural Workers Union aims to demand clarity on why Dr. Alegibam remains in his position despite calls for his retirement.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Moses Apiah|Bolgatanga
The peaceful environment which is so important for cooperation and productivity is slowly giving way to more acrimony and conflicts. Why not go out of this toxic environment for your own security and peace of mind?