Some widows of ex-workers of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) who were retrenched in 2002 without their benefits have appealed to philanthropists to help them care for their children.
According to them, most of their men became delinquent when they lost their jobs and hoped in vain for their severance packages and as result they had to bear all the economic, health and psychological pressures.
Madam Charity Kudor, told the Ghana News Agency that her late husband was hopeful that his benefits would be paid after the late President John Evans Atta Mills ordered the Ministry of Transport to facilitate the payment of the severance award.
“But when the President died, my husband also lost hope and lost his life. I wish that President John Mahama would continue from where the late President left off,” She said
Madam Mansah Atsupi, who is now a Kaya yoo at the Tema Fishing Harbour, said her husband took to the drinking of akpeteshie and “cooked his vital organs”.
“When he was dying, he apologized for not standing firm in the face of difficulties and betrayal of his country. I still see that face streaming down with tears and choking. He believed he had lost everything.”
She said her children have left home, adding” the last time I heard about the boys, they had robbed someone and bolted. As for the girls, I have no idea. They had very little education, no skill and no supervision.”
Madam Selina Ashinyo told the Ghana News Agency that the struggle for survival got intense after the death of her husband, Thomas Dzikunu Ashinyo.
“When he was alive, though I bore the burden of housekeeping, on some occasions he would be lucky and get some handouts which helped, but now that he is gone, it is very tough,” she said.
She said “we had envisioned that at least our children would be educated with our joint financial contribution and supervision but all those ideas have dissipated.
“About 500 out of 3000 workers who were retrenched have lost their lives.
“Five ex-workers who managed to acquire legal representation have been paid all their benefits."
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