The Minority Leader in Parliament, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to reverse the mass revocation of public sector appointments made after December 7, 2024.
Afenyo-Markin described the dismissals as unconstitutional and a direct violation of Ghana’s labour laws. The directive was issued by the Chief of Staff in a letter with reference SCR.DA85/85/01/A, has resulted in the termination of appointments across several public institutions.
In a strongly worded letter dated February 18, 2025, the Minority Leader argued that the mass dismissals contravene the 1992 Constitution, particularly Article 191, which guarantees job security for public servants, and Article 296, which mandates fairness in the exercise of discretionary powers.
“These mass dismissals, conducted without individual assessments or adherence to legal protocols, appear to contravene these foundational legal principles and erode public trust in our state institutions,” he wrote.
He further referred to the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) and the Public Services Commission Act, 1994, which outline due process in employment matters.
Afenyo-Markin also criticized the rationale behind the dismissals, emphasizing that recruitment into public service is a structured process.
“Many of those who received their appointments after December 7, 2024, had already begun the recruitment process months earlier—some as early as June 2024. They completed aptitude tests, medical examinations, and other rigorous procedures before being appointed. It is unfair and unjust to dismiss individuals solely based on their appointment dates,” he argued.
The Minority Leader pointed out the contradiction between the dismissals and the President’s pledge to prioritize job creation and economic empowerment.
“Your flagship policy of a 24-hour economy was widely endorsed as a beacon of hope for young people seeking employment and economic security. It is deeply disappointing that, rather than expanding job opportunities, your administration is now overseeing a wave of terminations, displacing hardworking Ghanaians from their existing livelihoods,” he stated.
Afenyo-Markin outlined three key demands in his petition: Withdrawal of the Chief of Staff’s directive – The Minority Leader urged the President to issue an immediate reversal of the instructions that led to the terminations.
Reinstatement of affected employees – He called for all dismissed workers to be returned to their positions to restore public confidence in the government.
Monitoring and compliance by the Minister for Labour, Jobs, and Employment – He proposed that the Minister oversee the reinstatement process and submit a report to the President and Parliament within 30 days.
Afenyo-Markin also cited a recent Supreme Court ruling, Ghana Centre for Democratic Development & Ors. v Attorney General (TLP-SC-2023-140), delivered by Justice Amegatcher. The ruling reaffirmed that politically motivated removals of public servants violate constitutional principles.
He reminded the President of his stance in 2017 when he condemned a similar wave of dismissals by the previous administration.
“These workers are all citizens and like all Ghanaians, they have rights which must be protected,” he quoted the President’s words from 2017, urging him to remain consistent with his past convictions.
While Afenyo-Markin expressed hope that the President would take swift action, he warned that affected individuals could seek legal recourse under Articles 2(1) and 130 of the Constitution.
He said, “Your prompt intervention can pre-empt the need for protracted litigation. Demonstrating statesmanship in this moment by addressing these concerns proactively will not only correct a constitutional wrong but also reaffirm your commitment to justice, fairness, and the rule of law.”
