More than 200 workers of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) whose employment was revoked at the assumption of office of the current administration have appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene for their reinstatement.
The workers were part of a number of public sector staff whose employment was revoked following a directive by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, terminating all appointments and recruitments made after the December 7, 2024, general election into public sector institutions.
However, in a statement, over 200 workers, under the banner of the Concerned Revoked GRA Appointees Group, explained that their recruitments started way before the December 7, 2024, general elections, and, therefore, they ought not to be affected by the directive by the Chief of Staff.
According to them, the affected workers received appointment offers dated December 2, 2024, with email records indicating their interviews took place on October 2, 2024.
“In humility, we make a direct and heartfelt appeal to President John Dramani Mahama to personally intervene and ensure that justice is served and we are reinstated. As the father of the nation, we trust in his unwavering commitment to fairness and the rule of law,” the group stated.
Recruitment exercise
The workers explained that they were duly recruited after a rigorous exercise, which started in September 2024, conducted by the GRA, and spearheaded by KPMG, adding that they had the necessary documentation and correspondence to back their claims.
“Nonetheless, our appointments were unjustly revoked, rendering us jobless through no fault of our own. Many of us, faced with protracted unemployment situations, relocated from distant regions or made major personal and financial commitments in anticipation of serving the nation through GRA.
“Today, we face avoidable economic hardship and emotional distress; our families are undergoing harrowing frustration since some of us are breadwinners, not because we were unqualified or improperly selected, but because our recruitment is being wrongfully politicised,” the group added.
Petitions
The workers said they had submitted various petitions to the offices of the President, the Vice-President, the Public Services Commission, the National Labour Commission, ministries of Finance, Employment and Labour Relations, the GRA, the Speaker of Parliament, traditional authorities and religious leaders, but their plight had not received any favourable response.
“The issue transcends political affiliations. It is about justice, livelihoods of humans, lawful administrative process, and the protection of the dignity and aspirations of young Ghanaians who meet all criteria to serve,” the group added.
Directive
In February this year, the Chief of Staff issued a directive revoking all appointments and recruitments made into the public service establishments after December 7, 2024.
Mr Debrah, in the directive, requested all heads of government institutions to take necessary steps to annul these appointments and recruitments into public offices.
“Consistent with Government pronouncement in relation to near-end-of-tenure appointments and recruitments, I wish to bring to your attention that all appointments and recruitments made in the Public Services of Ghana after December 7, 2024, are not in compliance with established good governance practices and principles.
“Accordingly, all Heads of Government Institutions are hereby requested to take the necessary steps to annul any such appointments or recruitments and submit a comprehensive report on the actions taken to this Office by February 17, 2025,” the letter stated.
The country’s governance space is not new to such government actions when power changes hands.
In 2017, the government of then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo revoked the appointments of several staff of public service units, which were considered late recruitment.
Those revoked recruitments included regional directors of the National Service Authority.