Management of Ghana Digital Centres Limited has defended its decision to temporarily suspend staff employment contracts following severe flood damage to its Accra facility, stressing that the measure does not constitute dismissals.
The decision follows Monday’s heavy rains, which inundated the technology hub, disrupted operations, damaged equipment and affected 23 tenant businesses operating within the facility.
Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Wednesday, July 1, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Christine Adwoa Agyapomaa Ansong clarified that no staff had been laid off.
“We have not dismissed them. What we have done is a temporary suspension of employment contracts. We have not laid anybody off,” she said.
She explained that management was compelled to take the decision because sections of the facility remain unsafe, while the organisation currently lacks the capacity to sustain normal operations.
“It is not easy for us to tell our workers that this place is not safe. The company is underwater. Go home for some time, let us restore the facility and then call you back,” she stated.
Ms. Ansong also said employees had been asked to return company laptops and equipment as part of an asset verification exercise to assess losses and prepare reports for government.
“If we tell you to return your laptop, it is not because we have sacked you. We are taking stock of all company property because this is a government company and those assets belong to the state,” she explained.
She noted that the flooding has significantly disrupted revenue generation, as many tenants have also suffered losses and are unable to meet rental obligations.
“We generate our own funds. The space we use to generate income is underwater. Twenty-three tenants have been affected and have lost equipment and property. We cannot reasonably ask them to continue paying rent under these circumstances,” she said.
Ms. Ansong appealed for patience and understanding from staff and the public, adding that management is working to restore operations and safeguard the future of the centre.
“My CEO and I have been working tirelessly to ensure the Digital Centre does not fold up. We still want to have a company at the end of the day so that our staff can return and continue working,” she said.
The facility sustained extensive damage to offices, furniture and electronic equipment following what has been described as one of the worst floods in recent years.
Government officials, including the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, have visited the site to assess the extent of the destruction, while recovery and restoration efforts continue.
