Government Committee Releases Report on Post-Election Recruitment and Promotions
The recent report from a government-established committee examining last-minute recruitments and promotions made by the previous administration during the transition period following the December 7, 2024, general election, has been released. This report aims to assess the legality and compliance of these actions with established procedures.
Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Presidential Spokesman and Minister of State in-charge of Communications, shared the findings at the Government Accountability Series Press Conference held at the Presidency in Accra. He explained that after consulting with relevant individuals and organizations, the committee concluded that 1,539 recruitments, appointments, and promotions were valid. These cases met the required procedures and had received appointment letters before December 7, 2024.
“This means they achieved a pass mark of 80 per cent or higher,” he said.
However, the committee recommended revoking the appointments of 541 individuals because their recruitment processes ended after the specified date and did not meet the required standards. Notably, this number was lower than the 879 appointments that institutions themselves revoked. The minister attributed this difference to the committee’s focus on vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, particularly within the Ghana Education Service.
He emphasized that the revocations were due to clear violations of procedures and directives issued during the transition period. The decision to revoke these appointments was not a political move but rather a commitment to upholding due process and ensuring compliance with the regulatory framework governing such actions.
Mr. Ofosu stated that the previous government was aware of the non-compliance in these cases but proceeded regardless. “They completely disregarded the incoming administration when we requested to be consulted on the same, leaving us no choice but to carry out this review.”
Overview of Institutional Responses
Out of the 36 institutions that appeared before the committee, 28 had initiated the recruitment process before the December 7 directive. A total of 19 institutions revoked appointments in response to the revocation directive issued on December 7, 2024. Meanwhile, 17 institutions did not revoke their appointments but sought guidance from the President’s Office.
Mr. Ofosu noted that 16 of the cases reported by the institutions were primarily related to payroll issues. In total, 2,080 recruitments, appointments, and promotions were reported by the institutions. Of these, 879 were revoked by the institutions themselves, while 1,201 appointments remained unaffected.
Background on Transition Concerns
It is important to recall that during the first meeting of the Joint Transition Team formed after the 2024 elections on December 17, 2024, the incoming government raised concerns about rushed and unlawful recruitments into public institutions. They also highlighted substantial payments to contractors and other creditors.
Mr. Ofosu mentioned that the incoming government believed an agreement had been reached for all ongoing recruitments, promotions, and significant statutory payments to be reviewed by the joint team. However, the outgoing government disregarded this agreement, prompting the incoming administration to issue a statement outlining their intent to revoke all such appointments and conduct thorough investigations.
On February 10, 2025, the Chief of Staff issued a letter directing the revocation of all appointments and recruitments made unlawfully after December 7, 2024. Reports soon emerged indicating that some individuals who were lawfully employed before December 7, 2025, or whose recruitment processes had started but not completed, also had their appointments revoked.
To ensure fairness and prevent innocent individuals from suffering undue hardship, the Chief of Staff established a committee to investigate all affected recruitments, appointments, and promotions. This committee assessed their compliance with established public sector processes and provided recommendations.
Committee Members
The members of the committee included:
- Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, Deputy Chief of Staff at the Presidency and Chairperson of the Committee
- Dr Prince Edward Darah, Commissioner, Public Service Commission
- Madam Roda Gavor, Director Human Resources, Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment
- Mr Bernard Adjei, Representative of Organized Labour
- Mr C.W. Ayiku, Secretary, Director, Finance and Administration, Office of the President
