The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has expressed concern over the mass termination of public sector appointments following a directive from the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah. In a letter dated February 10, 2025, the Chief of Staff instructed all heads of government institutions to annul appointments and recruitments made after December 7, 2024, citing non-compliance with established governance principles.
The directive has led to widespread revocations, with reports indicating that even appointments made before the stated date have been affected. Some contract workers, who had been in service for over five years and had their appointments regularized in December 2024, have also lost their jobs. The TUC described the situation as distressing, particularly for young professionals who had secured employment after years of searching.
The issue of last-minute appointments has long been a point of contention in Ghana’s political landscape. The TUC noted that similar actions have occurred in past transitions between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP). In 2016, the NPP strongly opposed last-minute appointments made by then President John Dramani Mahama, describing them as “disappointing and bad faith.” However, the TUC pointed out that the NPP is now taking actions that go beyond what it previously condemned, leading to the loss of thousands of jobs.
The TUC has urged President Mahama to halt the terminations, particularly for teachers, nurses, and other professionals who have been affected. It warned that such actions could have long-term implications on the morale and patriotism of the country’s youth.
Calling for a more conciliatory approach, the TUC has asked the president to extend amnesty to all affected employees, similar to the amnesty granted to individuals recruited by the previous administration and currently undergoing training with security agencies. The union believes such a move would set a precedent for national unity and reshape the country’s political transition practices.
