Ghana’s immediate past Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has chastised the President John Dramani Mahama administration for its recent dismissal of public servants.
According to him, such a move will only create a trend threatening Ghana’s democracy.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Dr. Bawumia appealed to President Mahama to put an end what he termed an unfair dismissal of workers employed during the previous administration.
Dr. Bawumia, who served as Vice President for the past eight years, indicated that he had vowed to allow the new government space to settle and govern effectively. However, he noted that recent developments necessitated his intervention as a responsible citizen committed to democratic principles. He expressed concern that the government’s actions contradict the democratic values outlined in the 1992 Constitution, which mandates justice and fairness for all citizens.
According to Dr. Bawumia, the government has embarked on a widespread dismissal of employees, including directors and public servants, simply because they were appointed under the previous administration. He criticized the move, highlighting the irony that a party which campaigned on job creation is now rendering Ghanaians jobless.
“The least a party that campaigned on jobs could do under conditions of unemployment is to also innovate and create jobs rather than dismiss people,” he remarked.
The former Vice President also decried reports of plans to terminate the appointments of security personnel, nurses, and teachers based on their hiring during the previous administration. He warned that such actions would be detrimental to national development.
In addition to the dismissals, Dr. Bawumia raised concerns over growing insecurity, citing attacks on journalists, military raids on former government officials’ homes, and mob actions against state institutions. He described these incidents as reminiscent of a military takeover rather than a peaceful democratic transition.
“These are certainly worrying times for our democracy, and the earlier action is taken to protect institutions and democratic practice, the better it would be for Ghana’s forward march,” he stated.
Dr. Bawumia urged President Mahama to be a leader for all Ghanaians by reversing the dismissals, protecting the rights of all citizens, and fostering national unity. He emphasized that Ghana must uphold its democratic principles, protect state institutions, and remain committed to constitutional governance.
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