CDS Africa urges govt to reverse termination of appointments

CDS Africa, a civil society organization committed to good governance, the rule of law, and labor rights, has expressed deep concern over the directive issued by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah revoking all public service appointments made after December 7, 2024.

CDS Africa said, that this directive,  which instructs heads of government institutions to annul such appointments and submit reports by February 17, 2025, raises serious constitutional and legal implications that must be addressed with urgency and transparency.

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.

This is contained in a circular sighted by 3news.com 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,” Mr 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.

The move is likely to impact individuals who secured public sector appointments or recruitments following the 2024 general elections.

Although no official explanation has been provided for the nullification, sources indicate that it is part of the government’s initiative to promote fairness and transparency during the public sector transition.

But in a statement reacting to this development, CDS Africa said that “Public service appointments are governed by the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, with Article 195 granting the President the authority to appoint individuals to public offices based on recommendations from the Public Services Commission (PSC) or other relevant bodies. This framework ensures fairness, meritocracy, and institutional stability within Ghana’s governance structure. The directive’s blanket annulment of appointments contradicts established legal principles by failing to consider individualized assessments, thereby raising concerns of due process, fairness, and nondiscrimination. The Supreme Court, in a landmark 2019 ruling, declared that dismissals based solely on a change in government are unconstitutional, emphasizing that such actions must align with the Constitution and employment terms. This directive, in its current form, disregards this precedent, opening the government to potential legal challenges and reputational damage.”

It added “Ghana’s Labor Act, 2003 (Act 651) mandates that employment terminations must follow due process, including prior notice or compensation in lieu of notice. The mass revocation of appointments without adhering to these legal requirements may constitute wrongful termination and expose the government to litigation risks from affected employees.

“The case of Hollister Duah-Yentumi, former Managing Director of SIC, who successfully sued the company over her dismissal, exemplifies the legal and financial consequences of arbitrary terminations.

The current directive, if not reviewed, risks setting a dangerous precedent where public servants’ careers are subjected to political discretion rather than legal frameworks and institutional stability.”

Implications for Governance and National Development

CDS Africa said that while every administration has the responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability, this directive undermines Ghana’s commitment to good governance, fair labor practices, and institutional integrity.

Past political transitions have witnessed reviews of last-minute appointments, but history has shown that abrupt reversals without due process led to workforce instability, legal disputes, and inefficiencies in public service delivery.

It is imperative that governance decisions prioritize legal and constitutional obligations over political expediency. Ghana’s democracy and international reputation as a rule-of-law-abiding nation depend on adherence to fair labor practices, constitutional governance, and institutional continuity.

“We urge the government to: Ensure compliance with the 1992 Constitution by conducting case-by-case reviews of affected appointments rather than issuing a blanket annulment directive. Adhere to the Labor Act, 2003 (Act 651) by providing due notice or compensation to affected employees by legal provisions. Uphold Supreme Court precedents prohibit terminations based solely on political transitions. Engage stakeholders, including labour unions and civil society organizations, to develop a transparent framework for reviewing public service appointments in line with constitutional principles.

“As an advocacy organization, we remain committed to defending the rights of Ghanaian workers, upholding constitutional democracy, and promoting fair governance practices. We call on policymakers, legal practitioners, and the international community to closely monitor the implementation of this directive to ensure that Ghana remains a beacon of democratic governance and the rule of law.”

The post CDS Africa urges govt to reverse termination of appointments first appeared on 3News.

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