40 Former Public Sector Workers Sue Government for Wrongful Termination
Accra, Ghana - 26 March, 2025 - Ghana's government faces a major legal challenge as 40 former public sector employees take to the courts, alleging wrongful and politically motivated dismissals.
The plaintiffs, who were employed in 2024, claim their terminations breached constitutional provisions and due process.
At the heart of the dispute is a directive issued by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah in February 2025, ordering public institutions to revoke appointments made after December 7, 2024. The directive aimed to uphold good governance principles, citing irregularities in late-stage appointments under the previous administration.
The dismissed workers argue that neither the President nor the Chief of Staff has the constitutional authority to remove public servants outside of specific conditions outlined in Article 191(b) of the Constitution. They seek a court ruling declaring their terminations unlawful, reinstatement, compensation, and a bar on further political purges within the civil service.
Many affected workers claim they underwent rigorous recruitment processes, including aptitude tests and interviews, before securing their positions. Some insist they were hired before December 7, yet their dismissal letters cited the Chief of Staff's directive as the reason for their termination.
The case has sparked outrage, with political figures rallying behind the dismissed workers. Tafo MP Ekow Vincent Assafuah condemned the dismissals as a "blatant act of injustice," estimating that at least 5,000 public servants have been unfairly removed from their positions under the Mahama-led administration.
The plaintiffs, formerly employed in the public sector, have taken legal action against the Attorney General and six key state agencies, including the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, the Ghana National Lottery Authority, and National Health Insurance Authority and the Ghana Shippers Council.
They are represented by Dame and Partners, a law firm associated with ex-Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame.
Source: Lead News Online
