By Godwin Owusu Frimpong
Accusations of hypocrisy are mounting against President John Mahama after his administration revoked all public service appointments and recruitments made after December 7, 2024. This decision, communicated by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, effectively nullifies employment for numerous individuals hired in the period between the election and the present day.
The stated justification for the revocation centers on “established good governance practices and principles,” with the government citing concerns about near-end-of-tenure appointments and recruitments. All heads of government institutions have been instructed to annul the appointments and submit a comprehensive report detailing their actions by February 11, 2025. This follows an earlier directive issued on January 15, 2025, requiring institutions to provide detailed records of all staff added to their payrolls since December 7, 2024, ostensibly to ensure accuracy and integrity within the government’s payroll system.
However, the move has sparked outrage, particularly given Mahama’s campaign promises to widen job employment in the public sector. Critics argue that the revocation disproportionately impacts ordinary citizens who were legitimately offered positions and are now left jobless.
“After promising us jobs, he (Mahama) turns around and snatches them away,” lamented one affected resident from the Ashanti region, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal. “How are we supposed to believe anything he says now?”
Sources in the Ashanti region, a key political battleground, indicate that the revoking of these appointments threaten to trigger a massive demonstration against the Mahama administration. The intel suggests a growing sense of betrayal and disillusionment, potentially undermining support for the ruling party in the region. Critics are questioning the logic behind the decision, especially considering its potential to exacerbate unemployment and fuel social unrest. The public expects the government to act with transparency and accountability.
Godwin Owusu Frimpong
