The former Managing Director of SIC Insurance Company Limited, Hollistar Duah-Yentumi, has taken legal action against the company following what she describes as her unlawful dismissal. She is challenging the decision to terminate her contract, insisting that her removal was not done in accordance with due process.
Ms. Duah-Yentumi was replaced after President John Dramani Mahama appointed James Agyenim-Boateng as the new Managing Director on January 27. However, she argues that her contract was set for a four-year term, which was supposed to end in 2028.
According to her, the decision to remove her should have been made by the company’s Board of Directors or approved by all shareholders at an Annual General Meeting (AGM). She contends that bypassing these procedures makes her dismissal legally questionable and unfair.
In response to her termination, Ms. Duah-Yentumi has taken the matter to court, seeking a declaration that her dismissal was unlawful. She is also demanding full compensation for the remainder of her contract, which includes several financial and non-financial benefits.
Her lawsuit has sparked discussions on the legality of executive terminations and the entitlements of top corporate officials when their contracts are cut short.
As part of her legal action, Ms. Duah-Yentumi is requesting the following compensations:
1. A monthly salary of GHS 40,000 until the end of her contract.
2. Contributions to SSNIT and her provident fund
3. Official accommodation or an allowance of GHS 15,000 per month,
4. A 10% annual salary increase,
5. Payment of membership fees for professional and social clubs
6. Health insurance coverage for her and her family.
7. An official vehicle and 450 liters of fuel per month,
8. Severance benefits, including six months
Ms. Duah-Yentumi’s demands have sparked debates in corporate and political circles, with many questioning whether such compensation requests are justified. Some argue that her contract should be honored if it was legally binding, while others believe that executive transitions in state-owned enterprises should not come with excessive financial burdens.
The case also raises concerns about how executive appointments and terminations are handled in Ghana’s public institutions. If her lawsuit succeeds, it could set a precedent for how CEOs and other high-ranking officials are compensated after abrupt dismissals.
On the other hand, the SIC Board and the newly appointed MD, James Agyenim-Boateng, have not publicly responded to the lawsuit. It remains to be seen whether the court will rule in Ms. Duah-Yentumi’s favor or uphold the company’s decision to terminate her contract.
As the legal proceedings unfold, this case will serve as a crucial test of corporate governance and employment rights within Ghana’s public sector.
