A retired teacher in the Upper East Region, William Azure Akologo, has a reason to smile and sing praises to God for making him see this day in his life. His former employer Ghana Education Service (GES), and the Attorney General have finally accepted blame and are willing to pay him an amount of GHc82, 211.42 as salary owed him through a Court judgement.
In 2019, GBC ’s Peter Agengre in Bolgatanga released an article detailing how Mr. William Azure Akologo was denied his salary from 2003 to 2013.
Life was not easy for him as he had no source of income to support himself after he retired. Many readers showed empathy and made cash donations to him to support himself after the reportage went viral.
On 20th July, 2020, Mr. William Azure Akologo filed a Writ of Summons against Ghana Education Service and the Attorney General at the High Court of Justice (Labour Division) in Accra.
Counsel for the Plaintiff, Lawyer Lamtiig Apanga Esq sought five reliefs including an order for the immediate payment of the plaintiff’s accumulated salaries.
After 18 months of legal battle, the High Court of Justice passed a consent judgment in favour of the Plaintiff, Mr. William Azure Akologo. He would then be paid a settlement sum of GHc82, 211.42 as salary owed him for the ten years period.
“The 2nd Defendant shall pay the Plaintiff the sum of Eighty-Two Thousand Two Hundred and Eleven Ghana Cedis and Forty-Two Pesewas as full and final payment of the Plaintiff’s claims against the Defendants.” Part of the judgement said.
It further states that, “The Plaintiff accepts the payment of the Settlement Sum as the full and final payment of the Defendant’s liabilities under the Writ of Summons issued on the 20th July, 2020.”
Counsel for the Plaintiff, Lawyer Lamtiig Apanga in an interview with gbcghanaonline.com commended the Accra High Court for passing a consent judgement in favour of his client.
“I’m satisfied with the Court’s decision. The case can go for another two or more years but that wouldn’t be good for my client since he is ageing. I pray that the money should hit his account as soon as possible so he can take care of his medical bills and other needs’’. Lawyer Apanga said.
Mr. William Azure AKologo expressed appreciation to the GES and the Attorney General, his lawyer and the journalist for the role each played in securing him justice.
Source: gbcghanaonline.com