Ghanaian sues multinational for employment termination

A Ghanaian has sued SGS Ghana Limited, a multinational company, for wrongful termination of employment.

Dr David Egyepong is praying the High Court to award him more than GH¢2.2 million for being rendered unjustifiably jobless after 28 years of dedicated service to SGS Ghana Limited.

He is claiming redundancy payment of two months’ basic salary for each year served; a golden handshake of GH¢100,000; GH¢772.240 damages for wrongful termination of contract; GH¢462,888 being two years’ salary with benefits and outstanding terminal benefits of GH¢70,199.48.

The plaintiff is further praying for the award of GH¢600,000, being special damages for reputational harm, special damages of GH¢250,000 for emotional distress, interest on reliefs being sought, as well as costs, including solicitor’s fees.

Counsel for Dr Egyepong, Ms Esine Okudzeto, filed the writ of summons on his behalf on May 28, 2019.

Statement of claim

The statement of claim accompanying the writ of summons said the defendant was to provide inspection, verification, testing and certification services to ensure products, services and systems met quality, safety and performance standards.

It said the plaintiff’s appointment was terminated on January 31, 2019.

According to the statement of claim, the plaintiff was promoted to manage the entire scope of Agriculture, Food and Life (AFL) operations in Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone due to his sterling performance.

Plaintiff indicated that he was in charge of five business units which generated profit, built up a good client base and increased market share.

Auditor’s Report

According to the statement of claim, the managing director engaged the services of an agronomist, who auditors said had failed to generate revenue during the first six months of his engagement under review.

The comments of the auditor, according to the statement of claim, infuriated the managing director, who accused the plaintiff of disclosing information to the auditors.

The plaintiff argued that he believed the managing director was upset, because the agronomist was reporting directly to him.

The plaintiff has indicated that he has been subjected to adverse treatments, including being relieved of his additional roles in Liberia and Sierra Leone; after the auditor’s incident in January 2018. Plaintiff further avers that he was demoted in a bid to frustrate him to resign at no cost to the defendant, but he did not budge.

According to the plaintiff, his good performance at the SGS over the years was on record.

He said despite unfair practices meted out to him by the managing director, he nonetheless met his targets with good results.

Plaintiff, however, said he was on January 30, 2019, handed a termination letter, which content contravened his terms of employment with the defendant company.

Plaintiff also averred that a series of events which occurred between himself and the managing director between July 2017 and January 2019 were targeted to find a mechanism to unfairly and/or unlawfully terminate his employment.

He is, accordingly, praying the court to grant his reliefs.