Accra, Ghana – A political controversy over last-minute government appointments has taken a new turn, with the Minister for Labour, Jobs, and Employment revealing that the vast majority of public sector workers hired after the 2024 elections have kept their jobs.
Dr. Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo has alleged that the former administration of President Nana Akufo-Addo recruited approximately 12,000 individuals into the public sector following its defeat in the December 2024 polls. These appointments, often referred to as "lame duck" recruitments, typically become a point of contention during a transfer of power.
In an interview with Citi News, Dr. Pelpuo detailed that while an initial directive was issued by the Chief of Staff to revoke these last-minute appointments, the process was significantly softened. He credited President John Dramani Mahama for intervening to prevent a mass dismissal.
According to the Minister, President Mahama ordered a halt to the terminations to allow for a thorough review, emphasizing that the affected individuals are Ghanaians who deserve fair treatment.
"We haven’t even removed all the 12,000. At one point, the president asked us to stop it because they are all Ghanaians, and so we should just check to make sure those who were employed truly passed through the system," Dr. Pelpuo explained.
This presidential directive means that the number of people who ultimately lost their positions is far lower than the initial figure of 12,000. Dr. Pelpuo estimated that less than 5,000 appointments were eventually terminated.
"There were so many that were employed by the NPP during the year of their loss but yes, they are working. Unfortunately, at the earlier pronouncement some had to be taken away but so many more are working today," he added.
The revelation sheds new light on the transition between the two administrations and highlights the current government's approach to balancing political transition norms with the livelihoods of the citizens involved. The focus now shifts to verifying that the remaining recruits "truly passed through the system," as directed by President Mahama.
