A group of forty (40) former public service workers has taken legal action against the government, alleging wrongful termination following a directive from Chief of Staff Hon. Julius Debrah.
The directive, dated February 10, 2025, ordered all public sector agencies to dismiss workers who were employed under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government after December 7, 2024, the day of Ghana’s Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
The controversial dismissal directive was justified as aligning with “good governance practices,” stating that appointments made after the election were not in compliance with government transition policies.
However, the affected workers argue that their appointments followed due process and that their terminations violate Article 191(b) of the Ghanaian Constitution, which outlines the conditions under which public service employees can be removed from office.
The lawsuit, filed by Dame and Partners a law firm led by former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame names the Attorney General and six government agencies as co-respondents. These agencies include the Ghana Revenue Authority, the National Lottery Authority, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, the Ghana Shippers Council, and the National Health Insurance Authority.
The plaintiffs seek multiple legal remedies, including:
- A declaration that neither the President nor the Chief of Staff has the authority to dismiss public service workers outside the constitutional framework.
- An order nullifying the directive as unlawful and unconstitutional.
- A mandate compelling the government to reinstate the affected employees.
- An injunction preventing further dismissals outside constitutional procedures.
- Compensation for financial losses, emotional distress, and hardships suffered due to their termination.
Some of the dismissed workers argue that they were hired well before December 7, 2024, and had undergone rigorous hiring processes, including aptitude tests and interviews. Despite this, they were still affected by the sweeping directive.
Leading the fight against these terminations is Tafo MP Ekow Vincent Assafuah, who has strongly criticized the government’s actions.
“I know the law is on our side. These 40 individuals represent at least 5,000 people who have been unlawfully terminated by the Mahama-led administration. It is not right, and they will get justice,” Assafuah asserted.
