The Minister of State for Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu has defended the cancellation of last-minute public service appointments under the Akufo-Addo Bawumia government.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu revealed the former NPP government under the Akufo-Addo Bawumia government bypassed due process in making last-minute appointments.
According to Kwakye Ofosu, some individuals did not even put in an application, and others did not even go through an interview.
Kwakye Ofosu further noted that the appointment letters were backdated but when you look at the payroll they have not received any payment at all since they were employed.
A letter dated February 10, 2025, by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah directed all Heads of government institutions to nullify all appointments made by the erstwhile Akufo-Addo administration after December 7, 2024.
Julius Debrah wrote, “Consistent with Government pronouncement in relation to the 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 Heads 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 17th February 2025”, the statement added.
Speaking on Citi FM on February 11, Kwakye Ofosu defended the cancellation of last-minute appointments, he stated, “Some government agencies, ministries, and institutions were feverishly employing people in the dying embers of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government. We expressed concern about this because we knew it was going to have an impact on our fiscal position, especially at a time when the country was struggling.
We have looked into the matter and found that due process was bypassed in the appointments that were made. Some didn’t put in any application at all, others didn’t go through interviews, and some who should have gone through medical examinations didn’t go through”, he added.
Kwakye Ofosu further detailed, “In some cases, the appointment letters were backdated, except that when you look into the payroll, you will not find that they have received any payment at all since they were employed. To that extent, we deem them unlawful and illegal. And as a government, we cannot afford a situation where people are illegally recruited into the public and civil service without due process”.
