I agree that a law is not enough to deal with last-minute recruitments by outgoing govt – Manasseh

Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has said that passing laws to deal with the issue of last-minute recruitments by outgoing governments is not enough to address the issue.

He expressed the view that the two leading political parties that have governed the country over the period will have to act in good faith to end the cycle of recruiting when they are leaving office.

The fact that the two political parties know that it is not a good idea makes it difficult to prefer solutions, Manasseh said.

Speaking on the Key Points on TV3 on Saturday, February 15, he said “I agree that a law is not enough, to act in good faith so that at the end of the day we would have this cycle and put young people in this trauma. I do not imagine what they are going through with their families.”

Prior to his comments, a private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu had said on the same show that enacting a law against last-minute recruitments by outgoing governments is not the starting point.

Kpebu also expressed the view that there needed to be a complete change of mindset.

“I doubt the efficiency of the law in resolving this issue. We need that change of mindset otherwise people will find ways around the law. Are you going to get a consensus to pass a law, it is not going to be overnight,” he remarked.

The CEO of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Edudzi Tameklo who also spoke on the same show had called for a law to be enacted to stop authorities from making major appointments and recruitments three months before an election.

To him, this is the surest way to deal with the issue of last-minute recruitments by outgoing governments.

“We need to reform what has been the practice or the norms over the period, one way to do that is through legislation…Maybe we need to legislate and put it in the law that 3 months to an election there shouldn’t be major decisions taken by way of contracts, employment or mass recruitment,” he said.

Concerns have been raised against the action of the government to revoke those appointments.

For example, the Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Richard Ahiagbah urged persons affected by the decision to sue the current government for the decision to revoke their appointment.

who made the call stated that the order by Chief of Staff Mr. Julius Debrah directing the revocation of the appointments and recruitments made after the December 7 election is inconsistent with the 1992 Constitution, Article 66(1). H.E.  Akufo-Addo was president until H.E. John Dramani Mahama was sworn in on 7 January 2025, notwithstanding his victory on 7 December 2024.

Therefore, he said, the decisions within that time frame by the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia Administration are binding on the Mahama government and others after it.

“Mr. Julius Debrah’s effort to invalidate the former administration’s decision is an affront to the Constitution and an imminent threat to our democracy. To the victims, I say insist on your civil and human rights. Go to court to stop this gross abuse of the Constitution, this is not what Ghanaians bargained for,” Ahiagbah wrote on X.

The order by CoS Mr. Julius Debrah directing the revocation of the appointments and recruitments made after the December 7 election is inconsistent with the 1992 Constitution, Article 66(1). H.E. Akufo-Addo was president until H.E. John Dramani Mahama was sworn in on 7 January… pic.twitter.com/x4EFuvzfxa

— Richard Ahiagbah (@RAahiagbah) February 12, 2025

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 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,” 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.

 

 

 

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