No job losses at Ghana's flood-hit digital hub - Sam Nartey
Communications Minister Sam George says no employee of Ghana Digital Centres Limited will lose their job after the June 29 floods, while challenging management to make the state-owned technology hub profitable.
Workers at Ghana Digital Centres Limited (GDCL) will not lose their jobs despite severe flooding that disrupted operations at the Accra Digital Centre, Communications Minister Sam Nartey George has said.
The assurance follows a row over the state-owned technology hub's decision to suspend the employment contracts of all staff after the June 29 floods damaged parts of its facilities.
The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations overturned the decision, describing it as unacceptable and directing management to immediately reinstate affected employees.
Speaking to the company's board, management and staff on Monday, Mr George sought to end uncertainty over workers' future.
"We are not laying off any staff of GDCL, whether temporarily or permanently, because of the flood. Every one of you is assured of the continuity of your jobs."
The minister, however, said protecting jobs would not come at the expense of reform.
He told staff the disaster should mark a fresh beginning for the company, urging management and employees to transform the state-owned enterprise into a financially sustainable business.
"Let's take this as the reset of the reset. Every staff member will have to play their role because it's not going to be business as usual."
Flood exposes wider challenge
The June 29 floods forced businesses operating within the Accra Digital Centre to suspend or scale back activities after parts of the facility were inundated.
The crisis prompted GDCL's management to announce the suspension of all employment contracts, a decision that drew criticism and was quickly reversed by the ministry.
The government's intervention reflects growing concern over the impact of the floods on jobs and Ghana's expanding digital economy.
Push for profitability
While pledging continued government support for the Centre's recovery, Mr George said the company must also improve its financial performance.
He said stronger corporate governance, greater operational efficiency and commercial discipline would be central to the Centre's recovery strategy.
The minister argued that GDCL already possesses the assets needed to become a profitable state-owned enterprise and warned that management would be expected to deliver results.
"With the assets you hold, there is no excuse for GDCL not to be profitable... It will not fail, not under my watch."
The Accra Digital Centre is home to technology companies, start-ups and innovation-driven businesses, making it one of Ghana's flagship hubs for the country's digital economy.
Although recovery efforts are continuing after the floods, the government says restoring confidence among businesses, investors and employees remains a priority as the Centre seeks to rebuild.