Forty workers who were dismissed from various public sector agencies in the country in 2024 have filed a lawsuit against the government for wrongful termination. The dismissals were based on a directive by the Chief of Staff at the office of the President, Mr Julius Debrah, dated February 10, 2025.
The directive stipulated that all public sector institutions should dismiss workers who were employed under the erstwhile NPP government, effective December 7, 2024, the day the presidential and parliamentary elections were held in the country.
Julius Debrah instructed all heads of government institutions to undertake the revocations because all appointments and recruitment made in the Public Services of Ghana after December 7, 2024, are not in compliance with established good governance practices and principles.
The 40 aggrieved workers who have sued the government are being represented by Dame and Partners, a law firm believed to have been founded and run by Godfred Yeboah Dame, the former Attorney General of the Republic.
Six government agencies, 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 seeking 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 10 February, 2025 requesting all heads of government institutions “to take the necessary steps to annul any appointments or recruitments” after 7 December, 2024 is unlawful, null, void and of no effect.
They are also seeking an order of certiorari to bring in the decision of the Chief of Staff of the President complained of and quash the same as violating due process.
Other reliefs include an order of mandamus compelling the Respondents to allow the applicants to resume normal duties as members of the public services.
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.
By: Isaac Clottey
