The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called on President John Mahama to halt the ongoing terminations in the public service, warning that the mass dismissal of teachers, nurses, and other civil servants could have a devastating impact on the future of Ghana’s workforce.
In a statement, TUC Secretary General Joshua Ansah described the terminations as a blot on Ghana’s democratic credentials and warned that such actions could sap the patriotism and morale of young professionals who have been educated at great cost to their families and the nation.
“We expect President Mahama to stop the country from sliding further down the partisan slippery hill. This will be the greatest political settlement of the 4th Republic. It will ripple in eternity and reset the politics of Ghana,” Ansah declared at a press conference held at the party’s headquarters.
Controversial directive by the Chief of Staff
The controversy escalated on February 10, 2025, when the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, issued a sweeping directive titled “Revocation of Appointments and Recruitments made after 7th December 2024.”
In his letter addressed to all Heads of Government Institutions, he stated that any appointments and recruitments made in the public services after December 7, 2024, were not in compliance with established good governance practices and principles.
The directive instructed institutions to annul such appointments and recruitments immediately.
However, reports have now surfaced that the revocation has extended even to appointments made before December 7, 2024, affecting many individuals who had been on contract for five years or more and whose positions were only regularized in December 2024.
Impact on young professionals
For many young professionals, these terminations are particularly heart-breaking.
Many of these individuals have struggled for years to secure employment, often relying on opportunities that were offered as part of a regular recruitment process.
The sudden loss of their positions not only deprives them of their livelihoods but also shatters their hopes for a stable career path. The TUC warns that the mass termination of these educated Ghanaians could have long-term adverse effects on the country’s economic prospects and democratic stability, as it undermines the principle of merit-based employment and the promise of job creation made by past administrations.
Political inconsistencies and partisan agendas
The TUC’s statement goes further, criticizing the government for what it perceives as a politically motivated purge.
“Not only is the directive open to abuse, but it is also extremely difficult to understand how the government can describe all appointments or recruitments made after 7th December 2024 as not in compliance with good governance practices and principles,” Joshua Ansah stated.
He noted that the issue of midnight appointments—a practice that has alternated between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP)—has long been a recurring problem.
Historical examples were cited, including actions taken by President Mahama in 2016, when he maintained that he remained responsible for steering the country until his official handover of power on January 7, 2017.
During that period, he appointed new Commissioners for CHRAJ and NCCE, a new Auditor General, and even increased allowances for National Service Personnel.
These moves, which the NPP had vehemently condemned at the time as “most disappointing” and a display of bad faith, are now being replicated by the current government.
Economic and social ramifications
Beyond the political arena, the mass terminations have significant economic and social implications.
The sudden removal of thousands of public servants risks destabilizing the public sector, leading to reduced efficiency in service delivery, and creating uncertainty among investors.
With the government’s plan to cut public expenditure, the loss of skilled personnel in critical sectors—such as education, healthcare, and public administration—could further hinder national development.
Furthermore, these terminations threaten to undermine foreign direct investment (FDI) as potential investors become wary of an unstable labor market and inconsistent public policies.
The TUC has been closely monitoring public discourse on the matter, cautioning that these actions could have a lasting negative impact on Ghana’s economic future.
The union stressed that dismissals based solely on the timing of appointments, rather than on performance or misconduct, could lead to a brain drain, as talented young Ghanaians are forced to leave the public service in search of more secure opportunities.
A call for fairness and reform
The TUC has called on President Mahama to reverse these terminations and to adopt a more balanced approach that protects the rights of public servants while upholding the principles of good governance.
The union argues that every public service employee, especially those who have invested time, effort, and resources into building a career, deserves to be treated fairly.
“We call on the government to halt the mass dismissals and to implement reforms that promote job security and merit-based employment in the public service,” said Ansah.
In addition, the TUC urged policymakers to reconsider the current framework for public appointments and recruitments, which has, over the years, been marred by political inconsistency.
The union emphasized that a stable and inclusive public sector is essential for national progress and that safeguarding the employment rights of its citizens is a fundamental democratic responsibility.
