The government has upheld 1,539 public sector recruitments, appointments and promotions following a comprehensive review of post-election engagements, dismissing claims that recent revocations were politically motivated or arbitrary.
Addressing the media at this week’s Government Accountability Series, the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said the review was necessary to safeguard due process after concerns were raised during the transition period following the December 7, 2024 general elections.
“At the very first meeting of the joint transition team, the incoming government raised concerns about reports of rushed and unlawful recruitments into public institutions, as well as substantial payments made immediately after the elections,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu stated.
He explained that both the outgoing and incoming administrations had agreed that all ongoing recruitments, promotions and significant statutory payments would be submitted for joint review, an understanding he said was later disregarded.
Chief of Staff Directive
Mr Kwakye Ofosu recalled that on February 10, 2025, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah issued a directive ordering the revocation of appointments and recruitments unlawfully made after December 7, 2024.
“Following reports that some persons who were lawfully employed before the elections were also affected, the Chief of Staff established a committee to ensure fairness and prevent innocent persons from suffering unduly,” he said.
Committee Work and Findings
The committee, which operated under the Office of the President, reviewed 2,080 cases submitted by 36 public institutions and individual petitioners between March 21 and April 30, 2025.
According to the Minister, the committee adopted an 80 per cent compliance threshold to determine whether prescribed recruitment and promotion procedures were followed.
“If people met at least 80 per cent of the required procedures, they were considered to have been lawfully engaged,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu explained.
He disclosed that 28 institutions had commenced recruitment processes before the elections, while 879 appointments were revoked by institutions themselves after the Chief of Staff’s directive.
After hearings and documentation reviews, the committee recommended:
1,539 appointments be upheld for complying with laid-down procedures
541 appointments be revoked for failing to meet the required standards and concluding after December 7, 2024
Consideration for Vulnerable Groups
Mr Kwakye Ofosu said the committee paid special attention to vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, particularly within the Ghana Education Service.
“In deserving cases, clemency was applied to allow affected persons to regularise their processes so they could remain in the public service,” he noted.
No Witch-Hunt — Government
The Minister rejected suggestions of political persecution, stressing that the exercise was guided solely by law and procedure.
“This was not a witch-hunt. There was no malice or ill-feeling. It was a necessary step to uphold the rule of law and ensure accountability,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu said.
He added that the previous administration had been fully aware of the procedural breaches but proceeded regardless.
“They completely disregarded requests for consultation during the transition, despite clear agreements to align and review these processes,” he concluded.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
