Fatimatu Abubakar, Ghana’s Minister for Information and spokesperson for the outgoing administration’s Transition Team, has strongly defended the government’s ongoing recruitments, promotions, and financial transactions in the final days of its tenure. This comes in response to concerns raised by the incoming administration about the legality and propriety of such actions during the transition period.
On December 17, 2024, the Mahama Transition Team, led by spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, issued a statement warning that any questionable last-minute recruitments or transactions, including those allegedly backdated, would be reviewed and potentially reversed after the transfer of power. The statement accused the outgoing administration of attempting to undermine the transition process.
However, Fatimatu Abubakar has refuted these claims, emphasizing that all ongoing activities are lawful and fall within the government’s constitutional mandate. Speaking during an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News, she urged the incoming administration to avoid politicizing routine governance and respect the legal processes in place.
She stated, “The question we should ask is whether the government is acting within the law. If there are any illegal activities, those should be addressed through proper channels, regardless of whether they occur during the transition or at any other time in the administration's tenure. However, if the actions are legal, they cannot be dismissed simply because they happen during the transition period.”
Legal Basis for the Government’s Actions
Abubakar further explained that the recruitments and payments are part of the approved 2024 budget, which was thoroughly debated and passed by Parliament. She highlighted that the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which forms part of the incoming administration, played a significant role in scrutinizing and approving the budget in Parliament.
“These activities are aligned with the 2024 budget, which was submitted to Parliament in November and subsequently passed with the participation of both sides of the house, including the NDC,” she said. “We have a hung Parliament, so every aspect of the budget underwent rigorous scrutiny, including the appropriation and committee reviews. The NDC cannot claim ignorance or surprise at activities they themselves approved.”
Abubakar also pointed to instances where the Finance Minister presented midyear budget reviews to Parliament, with full participation from NDC members. She questioned why concerns are being raised now, suggesting it might be an attempt to politicize otherwise routine governance processes.
“I find it puzzling that after fully participating in the budgetary process, the NDC is now turning around to label these activities as irregular. The ministries are merely executing approved projects and programs, and the government retains its constitutional authority to do so until the very last day of its tenure,” she remarked.
Government’s Full Mandate Until Handover
The Minister stressed that the Akufo-Addo administration retains full executive powers until the formal handover, as stipulated by Ghana’s constitution. She dismissed any attempts to impose restrictions on the outgoing government’s actions, arguing that such measures would undermine democratic principles.
“The President has a constitutional mandate to govern until his term officially ends. It would be undemocratic to use the transition process as a pretext to curtail the President’s legitimate authority,” she stated.
Abubakar also assured Ghanaians that any actions taken during the transition are transparent and in compliance with the law. She encouraged the incoming administration to focus on governance rather than creating unnecessary friction during the transition process.
“If the incoming team believes there are illegalities, they have the right to address them through legal means. However, they must avoid politicizing routine administrative decisions, as this does not serve the interests of the people,” she said.
Broader Implications of the Transition Dispute
The ongoing exchange between the outgoing and incoming administrations has drawn attention to the need for clear guidelines and cooperation during transitions of power. Analysts warn that such disputes could undermine public confidence in the governance process and set a concerning precedent for future transitions.
While Abubakar maintains that the outgoing government is operating within its rights, critics argue that last-minute actions—regardless of their legality—create the perception of impropriety and could complicate the incoming administration’s efforts to implement its policies.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, speaking for the Mahama Transition Team, has reiterated that all questionable recruitments, promotions, and transactions will be thoroughly reviewed. He has also emphasized the importance of ensuring transparency and accountability during the transition process.
Conclusion
As Ghana prepares for a change in leadership, the tension between the outgoing and incoming administrations underscores the challenges of ensuring smooth and transparent transitions. While Fatimatu Abubakar remains firm in defending the legality of the government’s actions, the Mahama team’s concerns highlight the need for greater collaboration and trust between political stakeholders.
Ultimately, the success of Ghana’s transition will depend on both sides prioritizing the nation’s interests over partisan politics.
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