The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has been ordered to reinstate 26 wrongfully dismissed employees and pay 310,000 Ghana cedis in compensation following a Labour Court settlement that exposed procedurally flawed terminations by Director General Dr Kamal-Deen Ali.
The Labour Division of the High Court of Justice adopted the settlement as a consent judgment Thursday after 26 staff members, led by Ronald Enyan, sued the authority under case number IL/0089/2025. The agreement requires GMA to restore all dismissed workers to their former positions with no demotions permitted.
Dr Ali, who assumed office January 28, 2025, terminated the appointments of 26 general staff and approximately eight directors shortly after taking up the post. The dismissals followed a directive from Chief of Staff Julius Debrah revoking all public service appointments made after December 7, 2024.
However, affected workers claimed many were employed before that date, with some starting as early as January 2024. One dismissed employee said they were simply told their services were no longer required without warning or hearing, describing the action as a political clearing exercise.
The court settlement mandates that reinstatement takes effect from February 1, 2026, following completion of onboarding processes. Any required interviews must be strictly administrative and cannot be used to deny reinstatement, a clause that became a major sticking point during negotiations.
A source close to the talks revealed that management wanted room to screen dismissed workers again, but employees insisted reinstatement must be unconditional. The court backed settlement ultimately prevailed.
GMA fought against paying back wages for the period staff remained out of work. The authority must now compensate each affected employee and settle the plaintiffs’ legal costs in addition to the 310,000 cedis penalty.
The settlement shields returning workers from future victimization, particularly lead petitioner Enyan. GMA is barred from dismissing or laying off reinstated employees during any probationary period following their re engagement.
Labour analysts say public funds should not be wasted on avoidable litigation arising from arbitrary administrative decisions. Opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has reportedly earmarked Dr Ali as a candidate for potential prosecution for causing financial loss to the state, since the authority rather than the director general personally bears the fine.
Dr Ali inherited a workforce that had grown from approximately 110 employees in 2017 to over 600 by January 2025. He told media in April 2025 that layoffs were possible due to unsustainable compensation budgets, stating the authority needed employees with appropriate expertise.
Interestingly, Dr Ali exempted some directors from mass terminations despite presidency orders. Mrs Janet Houghman-Addy, Director of Maritime Services, remains at her post despite being part of the dismissal list that saw almost all her colleague directors removed.
Houghman-Addy reportedly has close ties to Henry Quartey, a cabinet member in the previous Nana Akufo-Addo administration. GMA’s official website currently lists her as Director Administration alongside other management members.
Another dismissed director, Dr Kwasi Awuah-Werekoh, has filed a separate lawsuit under case number IL/004/2025 alleging unlawful termination. That case remains pending before the Labour Court.
Inside the authority, news of the ruling has produced mixed reactions, with returning staff preparing to resume duties while concerns persist about the workplace atmosphere following the legal battle.
The consent judgment represents a significant rebuke for Dr Ali, a retired naval captain and maritime law expert who previously served as Executive Director of the Centre for Maritime Law and Security Africa (CEMLAWS Africa). He holds a doctorate in Maritime Governance and Security from the University of Wollongong in Australia.
Chief of Staff Julius Debrah issued the controversial directive February 10, 2025, instructing all heads of government institutions to annul appointments and recruitments made after December 7, 2024. The directive described such appointments as inconsistent with good governance practices and principles.
However, the broad application of the policy has drawn criticism from labour unions and civil society organizations. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) called on President John Dramani Mahama to revoke the directive, warning it affects teachers, nurses and others who waited years for employment.
Reports indicate mass revocations have occurred across multiple government institutions, with some employees losing jobs despite being on contract for five years or more. Their appointments were regularized in December 2024, causing them to fall under the revocation policy.
The Ghana Maritime Authority, established by Act 630 in 2002, regulates the country’s maritime industry, enforces maritime laws and manages ports, vessels and the marine environment. It operates under the Ministry of Transport.
Dr Ali took over from Thomas Alonsi, who served as director general during the previous New Patriotic Party administration. The handover ceremony occurred January 30, 2025, at the authority’s conference room.
The case adds to growing legal challenges facing the Mahama administration over employment policies implemented since taking office January 7, 2025, following victory in the December 2024 general elections.
