Another Judgement Debt looms

Today can authoritatively state that another judgement debt is about to occur if the central government under President John Dramani Mahama refuses to pay the $44 million contract of publishing, printing and distribution of Social Studies Atlas Textbooks to schools across the country. Members of the Ghana Book Publishers Association who have duly executed the terms of the contract are yet to receive arrears owed them by government. This situation, according to the Association, is collapsing their businesses as government has intentionally decided to delay the payment of the arrears. The aggrieved members said government has 30 days to meet their demands or be faced with a legal suit. According to the members, they will only rescind their decision and withdraw any legal suit they would be filing against government, if 75% of their arrears is paid. A thorough look at the turn of events shows that should the aggrieved members go to court, there is a predictable possible judgement debt of over GH�135.3 million which government would have to pay in addition to the already $44 million (GH�132 million). It is evident that government will, once again, be saddled with the payment of GH�267.3 million judgement debt if it fails to honour its part of the contract. According to the Association, due to the strong relationship that exists between them and the ministry of education, resorting to court has not been their desire. It also indicated that the decision by members to resort to court is necessitated by the present circumstances which are leading to the collapse of their businesses after several promises from the ministry. However, the Association is requesting for a response from the ministry of education regarding the matter so as to avert the foreseeable possible judgement debt which indeed, is too huge for the country to bear considering the state of the economy today.