Rashid Pelpuo, the Minister for Employment, Jobs, and Labour Relations has revealed the erstwhile Akufo-Addo government shockingly employed 12,000 people in the public sector in a week after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lost the 2024 elections.
The sector minister revealed that President John Dramani Mahama has set up a committee to investigate all the people who are complaining of being sacked unfairly.
Speaking on Channel One TV, Rashid Pelpuo stated, “The President has set up a committee to investigate all the people who are complaining of being sacked unfairly. I’m a co-chairman of that committee. We’re working very hard to get them a response.
In that space of time, after they lost the 2024 elections, they [Akufo-Addo administration] employed 12,000 people within a week or two in all sectors. We’re now investigating it, and our results will come out soon”, he added.
He further added that the findings of the committee will guide any necessary actions.
In March the minority in parliament’s motion seeking a parliamentary probe into last-minute dismissals has been blocked.
The minority leader Alexander Afenyo Markin and two other NPP MPs filed a motion seeking Parliament to declare the dismissals unconstitutional.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga challenged the motion could be moved.
According to Mahama Ayariga, a case has already been filed before the court.
Bernard Ahiafor the first Deputy Speaker, sustained the Majority Leader’s objection and dismissed the motion.
Bernard Ahiafor the first Deputy Speaker stated, “Accordingly, the motion and the subsequent debate on it is stayed pending the determination of the matter by the Supreme Court.
Honourable members accordingly, the objection is sustained. The motion therefore cannot be moved”.
Meanwhile, on the floor of parliament, Mahama Ayariga has said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) warned and cautioned the New Patriotic Party (NPP) over their last-minute appointments.
According to the Majority leader the NDC has no regrets about overturning the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) late-minute appointments.
Mahama Ayariga noted that the National Democratic Congress after the 2024 election warned and cautioned the erstwhile Akufo-Addo government about their last-minute recruitment but they refused and proceeded with recruiting.
Speaking on the floor of parliament Mahama Ayariga reiterated the Mahama government’s position on termination of appointments made during the transition period.
Mahama Ayariga stated, “This government is reversing those recruitment because we told you, we warned you, we cautioned you, we tried to stop you and you refused, insisted and you recruited. We have no regrets reversing those recruitments”.
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”, the statement added.
Following the Chief of Staff directive issued on February 10, 2025, State institutions have acted in compliance, leading to widespread dismissals of appointments.
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.
Meanwhile, the National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye has filed a lawsuit against the Government of Ghana over the termination of last-minute appointments.
The former vice president Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has also criticised the decision made by President Mahama to dismiss last-minute contracts.
According to Dr Bawumia, the NDC campaigned on the wings of jobs for all but now dismissing Ghanaians.
