CLOGSAG Demands Withdrawal of Births and Deaths Registrar Appointment
The Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG), is calling on President John Dramani Mahama to urgently revoke the appointment of Samuel Adom Botchway as the new Registrar of the Births and Deaths Registry.
According to the association, this appointment violates a 2017 Supreme Court ruling that safeguards the neutrality of the Civil and Local Government Service by preventing political interference.
Why Is CLOGSAG Opposed to This Appointment?
Speaking at a durbar at the Births and Deaths Registry in Accra, CLOGSAG's Deputy Executive Secretary, Mr. Kojo Krakani, emphasized the importance of keeping politics out of civil service operations.
“Samuel Adom Botchway is a well-known activist of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and previously served as the District Chief Executive for Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa in the Central Region,” Krakani stated. “His appointment undermines the neutrality of the service and sets a dangerous precedent.”
CLOGSAG insists that civil service roles should be filled based on merit rather than political affiliations to maintain professionalism and efficiency within the system.
The Legal Basis for CLOGSAG’s Demand
CLOGSAG cites Article 195 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 2 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 2020 (Act 1027), which mandate that the President appoints a Registrar for the Births and Deaths Registry. However, they argue that the Supreme Court ruling on neutrality should guide such appointments to prevent political influence.
The Registrar of Births and Deaths is responsible for maintaining the national register of births, fetal deaths, and deaths, making it a crucial role that requires impartiality and professionalism.
What’s Next? A Possible Strike Looms
CLOGSAG has warned that failure to revoke this appointment could lead to industrial action.
“We encourage all stakeholders to protect the integrity of the Civil and Local Government Service by resisting political interference,” Krakani urged. “If this appointment is not withdrawn, CLOGSAG will have no choice but to direct its members to lay down their tools.”
This isn’t the first time CLOGSAG has taken a stand on appointments at the Births and Deaths Registry. In 2022, the association opposed the appointment of Mrs. Henrietta Lamptey, arguing that the process deviated from established civil service protocols. They even took legal action, seeking a declaration that the Head of Civil Service must be involved in the appointment process.
Awaiting the Court’s Verdict
CLOGSAG’s previous legal battle over the 2022 appointment remains unresolved, as the court has yet to issue a ruling. If the case is decided in their favor, it could set a strong precedent reinforcing the civil service’s independence from political appointments.
Final Thoughts: Will the President Act?
The ball is now in President Mahama’s court. Will he heed CLOGSAG’s call and withdraw the appointment, or will this issue escalate into a full-blown industrial action?
One thing is clear—civil servants are determined to protect the neutrality of their service at all costs.
What do you think? Should political affiliations influence civil service appointments?
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