Pay us now: Youth in afforestation workers cry to the Forestry Commission

Some beneficiaries of youth in afforestation program introduced by the government four years ago have staged a protest at the headquarters of the Forestry Commission in Accra to demand their four months allowance owed them since October 2021.

The beneficiaries have bemoaned what they believe has become a norm for the forestry commission to delay their allowances until they protest before their monies are given to them.

The protesters held placards with captions such as: “No long talk, pay us our money o”, “No allowance, No Green Ghana”, “We are hungry, no money to feed our families, pay us oo”, “four months no pay, why” amongst others to express their concerns.

They indicated that all efforts to get the forestry commission to pay the four months allowances have not availed hence they have resorted to protest for three days to drive home their demands.

“If after the three days and nothing comes out of it, we are going to back to drawing board to strategies and what will happen is a mega demonstration which I believe the whole nation will witness it”, the spokesperson of the protesting workers, Bossman Adutwum Anin added.

They also warned that the government’s Green Ghana program is at stake if they are not paid immediately.

Addressing the protesting workers at the headquarters of the forestry commission, Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, John Allotey, assured the workers that their arrears will be paid by the end of the week.

“The assurance is that by this week, you will be paid. By the close of the day, I will be able to confirm the number of months,” he said.

Citinewsroom