By Prince Ahenkorah
The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in his final days in Office, has been caught up appointing, promoting and executing significant payments, which would take effect before and after his exit from government.
The spokesperson for the incoming government’s transition team, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has expressed serious concerns following the transition team’s first day of work.
Among the key issues raised, were last-minute recruitments and a significant payment of GH₵240 million to an entity that conducted business with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
Mr Kwakye Ofosu, revealed that these actions could have severe fiscal implications for the incoming administration.
“There were a few issues that came up that generated some discussions. Amongst them was the worrying issue of last-minute recruitments and payments in some ministries, departments, and agencies,” he stated.
Highlighting the payment to the ECG-related entity, Mr Kwakye Ofosu, noted that the incoming team requested a halt to the transaction until further scrutiny could be conducted.
The former Deputy Information Minister, stressed that the payment’s timing and magnitude, could adversely impact the public purse, given the precarious state of the economy.
“Good governance requires that the incoming government is given the opportunity to make these decisions,” he added.
While, acknowledging that payments to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) might be justified to keep the power supply stable, he questioned the urgency and necessity of this particular payment.
“We have picked up information and indeed we’ve seen documentation relating to efforts to pay over GH₵240 million to an entity that is supposed to have done some business with the ECG. Now, if it was being paid to IPPs to keep the power on, one perhaps would not have an issue, but it is being paid to an entity whose work in my view is not as critical as IPPs.”
Mr Kwakye Ofosu, revealed that the team suggested broader consultations to address these matters, citing the incoming government’s responsibility to manage the fiscal implications. “The timing of the recruitment would have severe fiscal implications on the incoming government,” he remarked.
He added that the outgoing government’s representatives agreed to suspend the GH₵240 million payment, pending further discussions at the next meeting of the transition team scheduled for today.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu, stated, “We raised strong objections to these maneuvers and requested that they be put on hold. The government side agreed to this, and we will forcefully insist that this is a dangerous precedent.”
The Herald has also reported Secret Employment & promotions at the various state institutions.
Multiple reports reaching The Herald, indicate secret recruitment and promotions across various state institutions in the wake of the massive electoral defeat over the weekend by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and matching orders given by the Akufo-Addo government.
Institutions such as the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), and Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), are allegedly rushing to address unemployment concerns previously raised by Ghanaians.
At the Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director General, has according to a letter in circulation, reassigned some three medical officers namely; Dr Osei Kuffuor, Afreh, Dr Paulina Clara Ofori and Dr John Ekow Otoo, as Regional Directors of Health Service, for Central , Bono East and Oti Regions. Their reassignment takes effect Monday January 6, 2025.
Critics, however, see this as an attempt to bloat the public payroll before President-elect, John Mahama assumes office on January 7, 2025.
The Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) and the Bank of Ghana (BoG), have also been implicated in ongoing appointments.
Other affected agencies reportedly include, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC), Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and the Ghana National Gas Company Limited (GNGCL).
Insiders report that, long-term probationary staff, are suddenly having their appointments confirmed, while some employees at COCOBOD, are allegedly being posted to positions for which they are unqualified.
“Apart from new appointments, they are also distributing promotions like ‘Ayigbe toffee,’” one source lamented.
Another SSNIT worker shared, “New staff, are being posted to various departments without explanation.”
Reports further allege that SSNIT officials are assigning staff to new roles in an uncoordinated manner, while COCOBOD, faces criticism for promoting unqualified personnel to office positions.
The recruitment spree is raising eyebrows, with many questioning whether it is a genuine attempt to address unemployment or a deliberate strategy to complicate the incoming administration’s payroll management.
Other reports reaching this paper, also reveal that some ministries are forcing directors and other heads of departments to append their signatures to certain expenditures made by their superiors to legitimatize them. The names of some Ministers, have been mentioned to this effect.
A disquiet has been reported at COCOBOD, which is said may erupt into something nasty as outgoing management, led by Joseph Boahen Aidoo, undertakes a controversial promotional exercise that has sparked a backlash from staff and political observers.
The exercise, which commenced on Monday, December 9, 2024, seeks to promote approximately 100 staff members, many of whom are perceived to be unqualified, but aligned with the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Traditionally, COCOBOD’s promotional processes span five to seven months, allowing adequate time for interviews, committee reviews, and the issuance of promotion letters to deserving staff.
However, the current process is being expedited, with management reportedly aiming to finalize promotions within two weeks.
This has raised concerns among staff and political stakeholders who view the exercise as an attempt to reward political loyalists before the transition to a new government.
The NPP is set to hand over power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on January 7, 2025, following the latter’s electoral victory.
Interestingly, in an intriguing move, the promotional process has also included staff, who were interviewed, but whose promotions were denied in recent months over suspicions of their affiliation with the NDC.
This decision has deepened suspicions that the exercise is politically motivated, rather than merit-based.
Leading members of the NDC, expected to form the next government, have decried the promotional process as dubious.
They have issued a stern warning to the Joseph Boahen-led management to halt the exercise, cautioning that any appointments deemed politically influenced will be reversed once the NDC assumes office.
“The outgoing management must desist from actions that could tie the hands of the incoming government. Promotions should be based on merit, not political loyalty,” a senior NDC official remarked.
In a letter from the office of the president, dated, December 10, and signed by the Ag. Secretary to the president and legal counsel to the president, Kow Abaka Essuman, ESQ, and directed to the office of the commissioner of the Commission of Human Right and Administrative Justice, Mr Joseph Akanjolenur Whittal.
The letter, headlined, “Swearing-In of Deputy Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice”, which reads: “The President has requested your presence at the Swearing – in of Benjamin Barfo-Bonney, Esq. as Deputy Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Scheduled for Wednesday, 11th December, 2024 at 5:00pm at the Jubilee House. Please accept the Presidents best wishes”, the letter concludes.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, has issued a strong warning to the outgoing government, cautioning signing and backdating of contracts after the 2024 general elections.
According to him, the incoming administration of President-elect John Dramani Mahama, will not honour any agreements made under such circumstances.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Mr George specifically called out attempts to finalise a contract on the Ghana.gov platform.
The attempt to sign a contract on the Ghana.gov platform should cease with immediate effect,” he stated, adding that such actions undermine the integrity of governance and accountability during the transition period.
The Ningo-Prampram legislator, assured Ghanaians that the incoming government is closely monitoring ongoing activities related to contract signing.
“We are monitoring all activities currently underway regarding the signing and backdating of contracts. Notice is duly served,” he cautioned, emphasising the need for transparency and adherence to proper procedures.
He urged the outgoing administration to act in good faith, warning that any contract signed post-elections and backdated would be deemed illegitimate by the new government.
