Atlas Publishers threaten legal action against government over $35m debt

The Ghana Book Publishers Association is heading for court after government’s failure to pay members over 35 million dollars for supplying basic schools with atlas books.

According to the Association, the court action has become their last resort to save the collapse of businesses of the companies involved after all correspondence to various responsible government institutions, even at the presidency, have failed to yield any positive result.

“We shall be very grateful if the Ministry will attend to this letter with dispatch. These publishers could no longer continue their businesses if the payment is further delayed,” a petition signed by President of the Association Asare Konadu Yamoah to the Ministry of Education in November 2013 read in part.

The publishers involved include Winmat Publishers Ltd., Approachers (Publishers) Ghana Ltd., Sedco Publishing Ltd. And Adwinsa Publications (Gh).

 “These members are left with no other option after this petition than to take legal means to retrieve the payment due them from the ministry. The council of the Association has however intervened due to the relationship we have and continue to maintain with your Ministry to always dialogue on matters when possible,” the petition cautioned.

Its stated that a letter dated June 28, 2013 signed by the Chief Director at the Education Ministry Enoch H. Cobbinah for the sector Minister instructed the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to pay these publishers but it has refused to do so.

“I forward to you for payment the cedi equivalent of thirty-two million four hundred and thirty-seven thousand, two hundred and sixty-four US dollars, eighty-two cents (32,437,264.82) being 90.7 % payment for the supply and delivery of Social Studies Atlases to various basic schools across the country.”

The letter directed the Administrator of fund to charge the claim to the textbooks balance of GH¢64,874,529.63 in the GETFund Financing Programme from 2009-2013.

“It is to be noted that the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has given the Ministry clearance for the suppliers to be paid,” the letter noted.

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of Ghana Book Publishers Association Fanua Atta Frimpong has told Joy News members are now worried about how to offset the huge interest that has accrued on the loan they took to execute the job.

“Some of them contracted loans from banks. The banks are seriously on their neck for them to pay money they own to them. It is attracting huge interest to the extent that even if the government pays the money today, most of the money would have to be used to pay the principal amount of money they contracted.”