The conclusion of the 13th All African Games has resulted in a dramatic scene at the hostel housing volunteers, who conflict with officials over their pay.
The volunteers claim that administrators have withheld their GHC2,000 allowances each, as well as their promised transportation charge of GHC500.
They said that officials forced them to leave their lodgings and go home.
One volunteer expressed dissatisfaction, saying, “We the Volunteers for the 13th ALL AFRICAN GAMES have been denied our dues, including TNT, and are being forced to leave the Hostels immediately.”
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He explained, “The agreement was that we would be paid GHC2,500, GHC500 for TNT and GHC2,000 as allowance or appreciation package. They came to address us yesterday Monday, March 25, and even promised that we were going to be given the money before noon today Tuesday, March 26. Only to send a statement asking us to leave the various Hostels.”
Despite authorities’ assurances, they were told to leave the hostels without obtaining their full pay.
One of the volunteers who wishes to remain anonymous confirmed the event to citinewsroom.com, saying, “We have been refused our allowances; the situation here is awful. colleagues are dissatisfied. The quality of food they gave to was nothing to write home about. Where will we get money to return to our homes.”
He went on to say, “A police officer stationed at the Pentagon hostel fired gunshot.”
He chastised authorities for failing to “manage their expectations, so that they don’t get disappointed.”
The volunteers allege that they were divided into sections like as Protocol and Ceremonies, Transportation, Accreditation, Accommodation, Janitorial, Crowd Control, Medical, Logistics and Supply, Games Venue, Catering, and Language Liaison, among others.
Notably, Protocol and Ceremonies volunteers, including Flag Bearers, Placard Bearers, and Marshals, played important roles in the opening ceremony.
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) oversaw the conditions of their contract.
