Forty former public sector employees in Ghana have filed a lawsuit against the government, claiming wrongful and politically motivated dismissals. The workers, who were hired in 2024, argue that their terminations violate constitutional rights and due process.

Their dismissals followed a February 2025 directive issued by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, ordering all public institutions to revoke appointments made after December 7, 2024—the date of Ghana’s presidential and parliamentary elections. The government justified the move as part of efforts to maintain good governance, arguing that such late-stage appointments were irregular and made under the previous NPP administration.

Represented by the law firm Dame and Partners, led by former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, the plaintiffs have filed their case against the Attorney General and six key state agencies, including the Ghana Revenue Authority and the National Health Insurance Authority. The dismissed workers are seeking a court ruling that their terminations were unlawful, challenging the constitutional authority of the President and Chief of Staff to remove public servants outside of the procedures outlined in Ghana’s Constitution.

The workers also want the court to declare the directive void, order their reinstatement, and seek compensation for the hardship caused by their sudden dismissal. Additionally, they are asking the court to prevent further politically motivated dismissals within the civil service.

Many of the plaintiffs claim they were subjected to rigorous recruitment processes, including aptitude tests and interviews, before being hired. Some argue that although they were hired well before December 7, their dismissal letters still cited the Chief of Staff’s directive as the reason for termination.

The lawsuit has sparked political outrage, with figures such as Tafo MP Ekow Vincent Assafuah condemning the dismissals as politically motivated. Assafuah claims that at least 5,000 public servants have been unfairly removed under the current administration and expressed confidence that justice would prevail.

The case is expected to test the limits of executive power in public service appointments and could have significant implications for governance and employment practices in Ghana. The government has not yet officially responded to the lawsuit.

Source:TheDotNews