40 dismissed workers who were employed in 2024 by various public sector agencies in the country have sued government for wrongful dismissal.
The dismissals were based on a directive by the Chief of Staff of President Mahama, Hon. Julius Debrah dated 10th February 2025 to all public sector institutions to dismiss workers who were employed under the erstwhile NPP government from December 7, 2024, the day the Presidential and Parliamentary elections were held in the country.
The ‘famed’ Julius Debrah letter instructed all heads of government institutions to undertake the revocations because they were “consistent with government pronouncements in relation to near end-of-tenure appointments and recruitment” hence all appointments and recruitment “made in the Public Services of Ghana after 7th December 2024, are not in compliance with established good governance practices and principles.”
The 40 aggrieved workers who have sued government are being represented by Dame and Partners, a law firm believed to have been founded and is being run by Godfred Yeboah Dame, the former Attorney General of the Republic.
Six government agencies namely, the Ghana Revenue Authority, the National Lottery Authority, the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, the Ghana Shippers Council and the National Health Insurance Authority are listed as co-respondents with the Attorney General.
Among the reliefs being sought by the deponents are a declaration that neither the President of the Republic nor the Chief of Staff of the President has the power to remove a member of the public services from office save and except on the grounds specified in article 191(b) of the Constitution; declaration that the directive of the Chief of Staff of the President of the Republic dated 10th February, 2025 requesting all heads of government institutions “to take the necessary steps to annul any appointments or recruitments” after 7th December, 2024 is unlawful, null, void and of no effect; and an order of certiorari to bring in the decision of the Chief of Staff of the President complained of and quash same as being in violation of due process, particularly, article 191(b) of the Constitution, and the relevant laws and disciplinary regulations for the public service of the Republic of Ghana.
Other reliefs include an order of mandamus compelling the Respondents to allow the applicants to resume normal duties as members of the public services or the respondents herein; an order prohibiting the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Respondents from dismissing or removing the applicants from the office except in accordance with Article 191 of the Constitution and damages for the harm, inconvenience and hardship caused the applicants.
The deponents aver that they sought jobs with these public institutions in the year 2024 and underwent processes which saw some of them undertake aptitude tests and regular interview processes.
They further claim that they were not appointed after December 07 yet their letters of revocation in some cases cited the Chief of Staff’s directive.
Ekow Vincent Assafuah, the MP for Tafo has been leading the charge against this injustice perpetuated by the Jubilee House.
“I know the law is on our side. These 40 people who have deposed to the facts of this case represent at least 5000 people who have been unlawfully terminated in the country by this Mahama-led government.
It is not right and they will get their due from the law.” said the Tafo lawmaker.
