The revocation of public service appointments and recruitments made after December 7, 2024, by President John Dramani Mahama, has faced strong opposition from some notable personalities of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According letter issued on February 10, 2025, by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah and sent to all heads of government institutions, they have been instructed to revoke all such appointments and recruitments.
“Consistent with government procurement in relation to near end of tenure appointments and recruitments, I wish to bring to your attention that all appointments and recruitments made in the Public Services of Ghana after 7th December, 2024, are not in compliance with established good governance practices and principles.
“Accordingly, all Head of Government Institutions are hereby requested to take the necessary steps to annul any such appointments or recruitments and submit a comprehensive report on the actions taken to this Office by 11th February 2025,” the letter said.
The letter further instructed heads of institutions to provide the full names, designations or job titles, employee identification numbers (if applicable), dates of appointment, and the dates employees were added to the payroll. It emphasised the importance of this exercise in ensuring accountability in the management of public funds.
However, since the announcement, several key NPP members have condemned the action, demanding the legal basis for such revocations. Some have even threatened legal action against the government.
Here are some of the NPP personalities who have called for the withdrawal of the new directive
1. Richard Ahiagbah
The NPP Director of Communications expressed concerns over the precedent set by President Mahama’s directive, warning that it could pose a threat to the country’s democratic stability.
In an X post on February 11, 2025, he wrote, “The John Mahama Administration is a potluck of confusion. They propagandized that the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia Administration failed to order fuel for IPPs after December 7th to ensure power generation and supply during the planned WAPCo pigging.
“But now, by this statement, they are repudiating and claiming that the appointments and recruitments after 7 December are at variance with good governance practice and principle. This is a poor precedent that threatens the stability of our democracy. The COS, Mr Julius Debrah, must rescind this directive and honor the decision of the preceding government. Governance is a continuum…”
2. Henry Nana Boakye
The National Organiser of the NPP, Henry Nana Boakye, did not mince words in strongly condemning the revocations. He argued that the appointments of all affected individuals were made legitimately, highlighting that the workers had followed the proper legal procedures and processes to secure their positions.
“It has been more than a month since President John Mahama took the Presidential oath to “at all times preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of Ghana”; and so, where from this attempt to terminate legitimate and lawful appointments of hard-working Ghanaian Youth who have complied with due process of law to secure their appointments. Has the President so soon forgotten that he also swore to submit himself to the laws of Ghana? The president should know, that there is no legal ground for terminating any appointment known as “good governance practices and principles,” he posted on X on February 12, 2025.
3. Vincent Ekow Assafuah
The Member of Parliament for Old Tafo has threatened legal action against the government, describing the move as ‘insensitive.’
He has accused the government of abusing its powers, asserting that the revocation violates Public Service rules.
“The insensitive JMs government is not only illegally dismissing hardworking Ghanaians in blatant violation of Public Service rules, but is also on a ruthless mission reversing lawful transfers. This shameful abuse of power must be condemned!” he wrote on X on February 12, 2025.
4. Sammi Awuku
In response to the development, the Akuapem North lawmaker argued that the affected individuals were not second-class citizens, emphasising that they had followed the legal procedures before being employed under the former government.
He referenced January 2017, when the Akufo-Addo government assumed office, noting that the former president did not revoke the appointments of officials such as those at CHRAJ and the Auditor-General, as he considered it unconstitutional.
“In January 2017, when Hon. Osafo-Marfo during his vetting suggested a revocation of appointments made after the 2016 December elections, the Akufo-Addo government rejected that pronouncement as it considered it unconstitutional. The NPP respected the fact that President Mahama’s mandate ran until January 6, 2017. For that matter, Osafo Marfo’s prescription was not implemented. So, why is it different today?
“In line with that, the Akufo-Addo government did not revoke the appointments of CHRAJ, the Auditor-General, or the NCCE heads, all because we believed in continuity and respect for due process. Why is that principle being abandoned now?
“Ghanaians who received appointments after December 7, 2024, are not second-class citizens. They have a right to work, just like everyone else. They went through a rigorous process before gaining employment with the Government. Denying them access to employment is a flagrant violation of their economic rights under Article 24 of the 1992 Constitution and SDG 8 which aims to promote full and productive employment and decent work for all,” parts of his Facebook post read.
5. Kwasi Kwarteng
The former spokesperson of the Ministry of Education, describing the termination of appointments as ‘unlawful,’ questioned the silence of stakeholders and pressure groups.
He specifically pointed out how organized labor had threatened a nationwide strike over the SSNIT sale issue under the former Akufo-Addo government but has yet to condemn the termination of appointments.
“Isn’t it interesting that organized labor threatened a nationwide strike over the proposed sale of 60% of SSNIT’s hotel shares between two Ghanaian companies, yet remains unconcerned about the unlawful termination of ordinary Ghanaians’ employment?” he posted on X on February 12, 2025.
MAG/EK
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