Former employees of Ghana's defunct State Hotels Corporation have renewed calls for the payment of their end-of-service benefits, over a decade after a court judgment reportedly ruled in their favour. In a petition to the Presidency and the Ministry of Finance on October 27, 2026, the workers appealed for the immediate release of their outstanding compensation. They claim some beneficiaries have died while others struggle with illness and financial hardship.
The workers' demands stem from the divestiture of state-owned hotels in Ghana between 1990 and 1999. The divestiture included the former Ambassador Hotel, now Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, and the Continental Hotel, now Lancaster Hotel, among others. A court judgment delivered in their favour in November 2012 covered about 1,200 beneficiaries. However, years of verification and administrative processes have delayed payment.
According to the consultant for the former employees, Nani Welbeck, some of the workers are battling illnesses and can no longer afford medication and hospital bills. Others have died without receiving their benefits. The situation has become a personal struggle for Jomo Yakubu, who led the legal action and is reportedly suffering from a terminal illness. He says the money is needed to cover his medical expenses.
The former workers claim their payment documents have passed through several stages of processing at the Ministry of Finance, but the compensation remains unpaid. They are demanding urgent action and warning that they may return to press their demands if the outstanding benefits are not paid. The Ministry's Director of Human Capital Administration, Cynthia Arthur, has acknowledged their concerns.
Cynthia Arthur assured the former workers that the matter will be addressed. However, no timeline has been given for the payment of the benefits. The workers are anxiously waiting for the release of their compensation, which they believe will ease their financial burdens. The issue has been ongoing for years, with the workers seeking resolution.
The State Hotels Corporation was divested between 1990 and 1999, with several state-owned hotels sold to private investors. The divestiture led to the loss of jobs for many workers, who have been seeking compensation ever since. The court judgment in 2012 was a major breakthrough, but the payment process has been slow.
The former workers are hopeful that their demands will be addressed, bringing an end to their long-standing struggle for compensation. They believe the payment of their benefits will help them rebuild their lives and cater to their medical needs. The Ministry of Finance has assured them that the matter is being attended to, but no further details have been provided.
Key points
- Former Ghana State Hotels Corporation workers seek unpaid benefits years after court ruling
- Over 1,200 beneficiaries are reportedly affected
- Workers struggle with illness and financial hardship while awaiting compensation
