A former Director of Human Resources and Corporate Affairs at KEDA Ghana Ceramics Company Limited—formerly Twyford—has submitted a formal petition to the Office of the President, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), urging an immediate investigation into the Chinese-owned tile manufacturer located in the Shama District.
In his petition, Dr. David Yevugah alleges that KEDA failed to remit mandatory SSNIT contributions for approximately 4,000 workers between 2016 and 2023, in violation of Ghanaian labor and tax laws. The petition, which was also sent to the Ministers of Finance, Employment and Labour Relations, and the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), accuses the company of systematic corporate misconduct.
“KEDA Ghana Ceramics Company Limited deliberately failed to remit the mandatory 13.5% SSNIT contributions for its employees, in blatant breach of Act 766,” Dr. Yevugah wrote. “This was not an error or financial constraint, but a calculated strategy to boost profits at the expense of Ghanaian workers’ future.”
He called for a comprehensive forensic audit and legal action against the company, naming Managing Director Lorry Lei as the key architect behind the alleged schemes.
Dr. Yevugah also claims the company engaged in tax evasion by failing to withhold and remit income taxes to the GRA, a move he described as “criminal.” He further alleged that KEDA circumvented labor laws by misclassifying workers as “casual staff” for extended periods—often over six months—to avoid making statutory deductions.
“This was a deliberate act of fraud against the workers and the state,” he asserted, highlighting that many employees, particularly in the Engineering and Electrical departments, exited the company without any pension contributions or tax filings in their name.
Dr. Yevugah emphasized that the issue is particularly concerning given that KEDA is a beneficiary of the government’s One District, One Factory initiative, having received an estimated US$13.5 million in tax waivers on equipment and raw materials. He demanded a forensic audit of the company’s employment and payroll practices from 2016 to 2023, prosecution of those involved, and recovery of all unpaid contributions and taxes, with penalties and interest.
He also noted that KEDA’s parent company is affiliated with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group.
In response to the allegations, Henry Zhou, Assistant Managing Director of KEDA Ceramics Ghana, denied the accusations. He suggested the petition was retaliation related to an ongoing criminal investigation into Dr. Yevugah himself.
“Dr. Yevugah was hired in 2016 as HR Manager to guide the company on local labor compliance. He has since absconded from ongoing investigations by the Police CID and District Police in Sekondi concerning alleged fraud and theft involving recruitment processes uncovered in a 2024 audit,” Zhou said.
On the core issues of tax and pension evasion, Zhou maintained that the company complies with all local laws.
“KEDA operates in multiple countries and works closely with SSNIT and the GRA. We undergo regular audits and have consistently paid all required taxes and social security contributions,” he stated.
Regarding the tax waivers, the company insisted that all incentives were granted legally through parliamentary approval following due diligence and proper procedures.
Checkout the Petition, Letter From KEDA, and response below:
Source: Thepressradio.com| Ogyem Solomon
