Barclays MD to appear before NLC

Jan 20, Accra:Management of Barclays Bank Ghana are in for trouble as the MD of the bank, Mr Ernest Debrah meets the National Labour Commission (NLC) on Wednesday January 20, 2010 to explain why the bank flouted the NLC’s authority by terminating the employment of Mr Gayheart Edem Mensah, former Communications Manager, Barclays Bank Ghana. The HR Manager has already appealed to the commission to be lenient with the MD and the bank.

When Mr Debrah began his moves to get Mr Mensah off, the issue was brought to the notice of the National Labour Commission (NLC) in August last year. The commission advised the parties to have more dialogue on the matter. However, on September 2, 2009, the bank’s Legal Head, Eirene Quainoo, notified the NLC that there was still no resolution on the matter. Without reply from the NLC, the Acting HR Manager, Mr Kenneth Antwi on September 3, 2009, wrote to Mr Mensah terminating his contract of employment with the bank with effect from that date. No reason was assigned for his termination. On the same 3rd September, the Barclays MD wrote to colleague staff members notifying them of Mr Mensah’s termination. The NLC subsequently warned Barclays that the termination was in contempt of the commission’s order and a contravention of Labour Act 651.

The NLC last called the case on December 9, 2009 but Mr Debrah and the bank asked for time and was adjourned to January 20 this year. Observers say the adjournment was to allow the MD purge himself and the bank to avoid the NLC issuing contempt charges against them.

Some analysts say the termination of Gayheart was politically motivated and that it was a possible vendetta by the Managing Director of Barclays Bank Ghana, Mr Ernest Debrah, for the way some government security operatives hassled him over his vehicle when the NDC took power. Mr Mensah was appointed a board member of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) last year. Accordingly, the two could not work cordially due to what occurred to the MD as he was likely to be nursing his wounds still. This, the analysts claim, was a clear testimony that Mr Debrah could not wait to get rid of Gayheart and so instead of leaving the task of the termination announcement to the HR department, he personally appended this letter.

Observers say President John Evans Atta Mills may not be interested in vendetta but his perceived opponents in authority are victimizing his perceived faithfuls. This is to the extent that one of his appointees Mr Gayheart Mensah has become a victim of a man bent on vendetta.

Mr John Esiape is Mr Mensah's representative at the commission's hearing. According to him, he just wants the proper thing regarding terminations to be done and that he expects the NLC to bring the matter to fair close in accordance with Act 651.

Barclays has operated in Ghana for over 90 years and is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Barclays PLC. Last year, the bank recorded profit after tax of GH¢ 6,795 compared to GH¢ 30,678 in 2007.END

ANEXTRA AGENCY NEWS: POLICY ON GOING BEHIND THE NEWS

It is the policy of Anextra Agency to provide journalists with accessibility to more information and therefore provides contact numbers of some of the people mentioned in its news.

Thank you.

Mr John Esiape - 0266451559 Ken (Acting HR Manager, Barclays) - 0244373478 Mr C.S. Sackey (legal officer, NLC) - 021-238737/238415