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Ghana’s former Vice President and 2024 NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has finally spoken out on the recent termination of workers recruited after the December 2024 elections, a move taken by President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.
In a strongly worded statement, Dr. Bawumia revealed that he had initially chosen to remain silent to allow the new government time to settle, acknowledging the challenges of governance. However, he now feels compelled to address what he describes as a serious threat to Ghana’s democracy.
“I did not want to talk about President Mahama now because I wanted him to enjoy his presidency, but I am compelled to break my promise due to the mass sacking of workers recruited after we lost the election,” he stated.
Concern Over Fairness and Democracy
Dr. Bawumia reminded the Mahama-led government of its obligation to uphold democratic principles and ensure fairness in governance. He argued that the removal of these workers was an attack on the rights and livelihoods of Ghanaians who were employed through due process.
“When Ghanaians voted for change, it was not to punish ordinary citizens but to continue national development, albeit with different people at the helm,” he emphasized.
His statement has reignited discussions on the partisan politicization of public sector employment, a recurring issue where incoming governments often review or terminate appointments made by their predecessors.
Political Reactions and Public Debate
The dismissals have sparked widespread debate across political and civil society circles. While government officials argue that the post-election recruitment process was rushed and politically motivated, critics insist that the move is unfair and could set a bad precedent for Ghana’s democracy.
Dr. Bawumia’s comments have drawn mixed reactions, with NPP supporters backing his stance, while sections of the ruling NDC defend the government’s actions as necessary to correct last-minute recruitment decisions made by the previous administration.
As tensions rise over the issue, many Ghanaians are calling for a more transparent and non-partisan approach to public sector employment, urging government agencies to prioritize merit-based hiring over political affiliations.
With this latest development, it remains to be seen how the Mahama administration will respond to the concerns raised, and whether further measures will be taken to address the controversy surrounding the post-election dismissals.
