GCB pensioners ask for 70% basic salary as allowance

The Former Solicitor of the Ghana Commercial Bank, Mr. Anthony Norvor, has told an Accra Fast Track Court 5, that he acted on the instructions of the bank, when he submitted to the Judgment of the Court of Appeal on February 22nd 1999, on a suit filed by the bank’s Pensioners’ Association.
The Ghana Commercial Bank Pensioners Association had filed a suit against the bank demanding that they be paid 70 % of basic salary as pension allowance. The position of the bank is to pay 70% of basic salary existing at the time the retired employees left office, while the pensioners’ association is requesting for pensions based on current existing salary structure.
Mr. Norvor disclosed this when he appeared at the Fast Track Court on April 15, 2005, following a subpoena.
He explained that a day before he formally submitted to the judgment, he contacted the Chief Legal Officer of the bank, Mr. Seth Dwomor, to ascertain his opinion to submit to the judgment in respect of the first relief, that is a declaration that plaintiffs are entitled to be paid their pension rights in accordance with the defendant’s Board of Directors Amendment decision on February 27, 1999, to save time.
He said Mr. Dwomor then took him to the then Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Bray, who in turn invited other people to discuss the issue exhaustibly.
Mr. Norvor said he was instructed that he should submit to judgment in respect of relief one, which he announced to the court the next day and then informed the bank about the proceedings.
Not satisfied, the Ghana Commercial Bank filed an appeal against the Pensioners Association to contend that the submission to judgment on 22nd February 1999 by the bank’s former solicitor was fraudulent and a void.
Mr. Justice Victor Ofoe who is the Judge sitting on the case adjourned it to May 19th for judgment.
Mr. Anthony Norvor acted as the solicitor for the Ghana Commercial Bank since the suit against the bank by its retired employees commenced in 1995. Currently, a Kumasi-based legal practitioner, Mr. Kwasi Afrifa, is the solicitor for the bank, while Dr. Ekow Daniels is for the pensioners association.