It is politically inappropriate for the previous government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to violate the transitional act by using political influence to recruit individuals into state institutions within a month, bypassing the civil service code of conduct. Such actions are not only unfortunate but also bizarre.
The directive to revoke all recent appointments and recruitments is a step in the right direction, as it is believed that many of these actions were politically motivated. This move places the incoming government in a difficult position, potentially jeopardizing the political leadership of the country.
Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast and political analyst, shared his views on the Adekyee Mu Nsem Morning Show on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra. He emphasized that all appointments and recruitment should be based on merit and competence, following a proper procedure of interviews, qualifications, and expertise for the position. It is unfortunate that political power is often misused to satisfy party loyalists when transitioning in or out of office, and such practices must be discouraged.
Dr. Otchere also highlighted the high unemployment rate in the country, suggesting that the previous government acted in bad faith during the transition period, with the intention of undermining the incoming administration. This left the new government under pressure to work with individuals who helped secure their victory.
In a separate development, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of State for Government Communication, accused the previous Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration of bypassing due process in making last-minute public service appointments. A review of the appointment process uncovered multiple irregularities, with many appointees failing to submit formal applications to the institutions where they were employed.
Kwakye Ofosu further alleged that some individuals were recruited without undergoing interviews, while others skipped the required medical examinations. These irregularities raise serious concerns about the legality of these appointments and their financial burden on the current government.
On December 17, Kwakye Ofosu had warned, on behalf of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) transition team, that such appointments would be revoked once the new government assumed office. He reiterated that the government cannot allow individuals to be recruited into the public and civil service without following due process.
His remarks followed the decision of Chief of Staff Julius Debrah to revoke all public service appointments and recruitments made after December 7, 2024. A confidential letter, seen by Citi News, was circulated to heads of government institutions, instructing them to comply with the directive.
Kwakye Ofosu expressed concern that some government agencies, ministries, and institutions were hastily hiring people in the final days of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration. He stressed that such appointments could have a negative impact on the country’s fiscal position, especially when the country was already struggling financially.
A thorough investigation revealed that due process was ignored during many of the appointments. Some individuals did not submit applications, others skipped interviews, and some failed to undergo medical exams. In some cases, appointment letters were backdated, but no payments had been made to the appointees. Based on these findings, the appointments were deemed unlawful. As a result, the government declared them illegal and affirmed its commitment to preventing such practices in the future.
Story by: Alexander
