A Deputy Minister of Information James Agyenim Boateng has hinted of possible punitive measures against personnel of the Ghana Prisons Service who hit the streets Wednesday over salary disparities. Agyenim Boateng told Joy News’ Paa Kwesi Asare that the government takes a strong exception to the action by the officers. Aggrieved personnel of the Prisons Service abandoned their posts for the streets, agitating for what they claim is an unfair salary structure under the new pay policy, the Single Spine Salary Structure. They do not understand why their counterparts in the Police Service will earn more than they do. According to one of the aggrieved officers in Bawku, a police constable earns more than a high ranking Prisons Officer who has been in active service for over 30 years. The officers in Kumasi would not admit new inmates until their grievances are resolved. They are demanding an immediate review of their salaries. In a reaction, the government has said the actions by the personnel are regrettable and will not allow those actions to fester. He said under the code of the security services it was totally unlawful for the personnel to embark on a demonstration, more so when there is an avenue for redress. According to the Deputy Information Minister, the government will conduct investigations into the matter and the appropriate sanctions will be applied. “…They are not supposed to go on demonstration of this kind and we are not going to allow this to fester. Clearly this is a matter that arouses the interest of the Interior Minister and National Security and no effort will be spared at looking into the matter. Those who clearly have found themselves outside the law, outside their own rules of engagement, I am sure that the appropriate sanctions will have to be exacted” he hinted. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana