Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has justified the government’s decision to terminate the appointments made in the public sector after December 7, 2024.
According to George Opare Addo, the erstwhile Akufo-Addo government refused to use the appropriate channels to make these recruitments, such following budget approvals and systematic hiring protocols.
He criticized the erstwhile Akufo-Addo government for making last-minute appointments without ensuring the necessary budgetary provisions, indicating that such actions burden the incoming government unfairly.
Opare Addo further highlighted that during the transition period, the new government had advised halting these processes.
He noted that while recruits undergoing standard procedures, such as those in police and immigration training, continue their programmes, many organizations have been overwhelmed by these last-minute employments, deeming the practice unjust.
“You can’t give what you do not have. Every year before people are given employment there’s a process that they go through. Budgets are drawn, approvals are given. There’s a recruitment regime you go through. Immediately you stampede that process, and when you give people jobs when there’s no budget to pay them, when you had a whole 8 years to employ all these people and put them on pay roll, you didn’t do it until you lose an election and you know a new government is coming.
“And then in between that transition period employ all these people and load them unto the new government coming. When you know there are budgetary constraints. You don’t do that. During the transition time when the new government tells you to stop this process. Those who went through the police, immigration process they are still going through training because we know the processes they went through. A lot of our organisations have been overly burdened by these last-minute employment… It’s unfair.”
The Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, argued that governments must always go through a disciplined approach to public sector recruitment and also respects budgetary limits.
Heads of government institutions have been ordered to nullify all appointments made by the erstwhile Akufo-Addo administration after December 7, 2024.
This directive came from the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah.
The directive was contained in a circular dated February 10, 2025, and addressed to all Heads of Government Institutions.
“Consistent with Government pronouncement 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,” Julius Debrah wrote.
He therefore directed that, “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.”
“Your cooperation in this matter is highly appreciated,” he urged.
Some institutions have already adhered with this directive, with many employed within that specific period being rendered jobless.
Watch video:
“You cannot give what you don’t have!” – George Opare Addo, Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, explains the recent revocation of public sector employment, citing budget constraints as the driving factor.
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