The legal tussle between the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and former regional executives of its Sekondi -Takoradi branch will resume on October 23 at the Sekondi high court.
Three former executives of the Sekondi Takoradi Branch of GCCI led a splinter group to rebel against the mother union , accusing them of financial impropriety.
The breakaway took effect on June 30th 2014.
The vice chairman of the Sekondi Takoradi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Cadman Dadie, told Citi Business News, “The national chamber was supposed to do trade shows in Sekondi Takoradi for our members to promote our businesses. It was supposed to provide data for our members to use. It was supposed to do market research, but not a single record shows that they’ve been doing this.”
He further explained, “Beyond this, we have generated so much revenue for this office. Obviously for any association, members will pay dues. The dues are paid in the name of Ghana Chamber of Commerce and industry, and it is sent to them. The initial agreement was that they give us a percentage of it but that has never been done since we joined them. Sekondi Takoradi generates not less than Ghc 30,000 per month. This year alone, during the first quarter, the chambers collectively generated an excess of Ghc 600,000. The president used 25% of that to travel; a travel that hasn’t benefited the chambers in anyway.”
He elaborated on what their expectations were with regards to what the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry should have done,
“The money is supposed to be used to develop, to stimulate and to enhance the businesses of the members of this Chamber. We have been here and our aspirations have never been met. It is time for us to refocus our energy and improve the businesses in Takoradi.”
But the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry tells Citi Business News it has sworn in some new executives for the region after dismissing the three executives that earlier led the breakaway group.
Speaking to Citi Business News the President of the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry Seth Adjei Baah said the chamber is still operating in the Western region despite the court case.
Meanwhile the newly registered breakaway group of the Sekondi Takoradi Chamber of Commerce , tell Citi Business News that they are seeking a court declaration as to who is the legal tenant in the facility that previously housed the regional chamber.
By: Rabiu Alhassan/citifmonline.com/Ghana