Mahama’s Public Service Dismissals Unconstitutional - Sammi Awuku

The Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammi Awuku has criticised President John Dramani Mahama over his directive for the revocation of appointments made after December 7, 2024. In a statement shared on his Facebook page, Sammi Awuku described the President’s directive as unconstitutional, regressive, and a dangerous precedent, warning that it could threaten the future of Ghanaian youth in the public sector.

The Akuapem North lawmaker drew comparisons between the current situation and a similar instance in January 2017, when then Senior Minister-designate Yaw Osafo-Maafo proposed the revocation of late-term appointments made by the Mahama administration. He noted that the Akufo-Addo government at the time rejected the idea, citing the need to respect the mandate of the outgoing administration and uphold constitutional principles.

He then questioned why President Mahama’s administration now appears to be abandoning that principle, insisting that those who secured government jobs after December 7, 2024, went through legitimate recruitment processes. He argued that these individuals are not second-class citizens and should not be unfairly targeted due to a change in government. In January 2017, when Hon. Osafo-Maafo during his vetting suggested a revocation of appointments made after the 2016 December elections, the Akufo-Addo government rejected that pronouncement as it considered it unconstitutional.

The NPP respected the fact that President Mahama’s mandate ran until January 6, 2017. For that matter , Osafo Maafo’s prescription was not implemented. So, why is it different today? In line with that, the Akufo-Addo government did not revoke the appointments of CHRAJ, the Auditor-General, or the NCCE heads, all because we believed in continuity and respect for due process. Why is that principle being abandoned now?

Sammi Awuku also raised legal and human rights concerns, arguing that denying people employment based on political considerations violates their economic rights as guaranteed under Article 24 of the 1992 Constitution and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8, which seeks to promote decent work and economic growth.

Ghanaians who received appointments after December 7, 2024, are not second-class citizens. They have a right to work, just like everyone else. They went through a rigorous process before gaining employment with the Government. Denying them access to employment is a flagrant violation of their economic rights under Article 24 of the 1992 Constitution and SDG 8 which aims to promote full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Source: Graphic.com.gh