Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin Criticizes President Mahama Over Public Sector Dismissals
The political landscape in Ghana has been embroiled in debate following President John Dramani Mahama’s controversial mass dismissals within the public sector, which have occurred in less than 100 days since his administration took office.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has voiced strong criticism of the Mahama government, accusing it of unfairly targeting individuals who were appointed under the previous Akufo-Addo administration.
The wave of dismissals, which started after President Mahama’s swearing-in, has sparked public outcry and intensified political discourse, particularly among opposition factions.
Afenyo-Markin, representing the New Patriotic Party (NPP), wasted no time in condemning the Mahama administration for what he described as a politically motivated series of terminations within the public sector.
In his address in Parliament, following the President’s speech, Afenyo-Markin expressed his frustration over the dismissals, stating, "In his administration, in less than 100 days, all we know is sack them, sack them."
He further mocked the government’s approach, alluding to the sentiments of the youth in the capital, Accra, who, according to Afenyo-Markin, were now calling it "termination bebre" (meaning mass terminations).
This expression captured the widespread perception of the Mahama administration’s handling of public sector employment.
At the heart of Afenyo-Markin’s criticism was the notion that these dismissals were politically motivated and unjustly targeted Ghanaians who had been legally employed before the change in government. He argued that the move undermined public sector workers, leaving many of them disillusioned and jobless.
The Minority Leader’s remarks reflect a broader concern over the impact of these actions on the lives of Ghanaian citizens, particularly the youth, who were hopeful for job security and growth under the Akufo-Addo administration. By highlighting the wave of sackings, Afenyo-Markin underscored the disruption this has caused in the lives of many public servants.
The controversy deepened with the release of a directive issued on February 10, 2025, by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah. The directive instructed all heads of government institutions to annul appointments made after December 7, 2024, by the Akufo-Addo administration.
The letter asserted that these appointments did not align with the principles of good governance, and it ordered the termination of employees hired under the previous government.
Debrah’s directive specifically stated, "Consistent with government pronouncements on end-of-tenure appointments, all appointments made after December 7, 2024, are to be annulled as they do not comply with established good governance principles."
This directive, in effect, led to the termination of several public sector employees, further fueling the backlash from political opponents.
Critics, particularly from the NPP, have labeled the decision as unnecessary and politically motivated, accusing President Mahama of using the mass sackings to reward political allies while sidelining those appointed under the previous administration.
The backlash has not only come from politicians but also from members of the public who view the dismissals as unfair and disruptive.
In defense of the decision, the Mahama administration has attempted to justify the sackings by arguing that many of the appointments made by the previous government were irregular and bypassed due process.
Minister of State for Government Communication Felix Kwakye Ofosu asserted that several of the last-minute appointments did not adhere to proper procedures.
He alleged that some individuals were hired without going through the necessary application or interview processes, and in some cases, their appointment letters were backdated, yet they had not even been added to the government payroll.
According to Ofosu, the mass terminations were essential to restoring transparency and fairness in public sector hiring, ensuring that appointments were made based on merit and not political favoritism.
However, the NPP has strongly disagreed with the government’s reasoning. National Organizer Henry Nana Boakye, one of the vocal critics of the dismissals, has taken the issue to the courts.
He filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the mass sackings, arguing that they violated established laws and principles governing public sector employment in Ghana. Nana Boakye’s legal action adds a new dimension to the controversy, as it seeks to clarify the constitutional and legal framework surrounding the termination of public servants.
His lawsuit further signals the deep political divide on this issue, with the NPP accusing the Mahama administration of political persecution and improper conduct.
Furthermore, former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has also joined the fray, criticizing the Mahama administration for what he sees as a contradiction of the government’s campaign promise to provide jobs for all Ghanaians.
During the election campaign, the Mahama-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) had pledged to create job opportunities for the youth, but the mass dismissals have put that promise into question.
Dr. Bawumia has pointed out that, rather than creating jobs, the Mahama government’s actions seem to be eradicating employment opportunities for many Ghanaians, especially those who were appointed in the final days of the Akufo-Addo government.
This criticism further fuels the narrative that the Mahama administration’s promises are inconsistent with its actions.
The situation has ignited broader discussions about the political nature of appointments and dismissals in Ghana’s public sector.
Appointments to government positions, particularly at the end of an administration, are often seen through a political lens, as outgoing governments tend to appoint individuals who are loyal to their party.
This practice, while common in many democracies, has sparked debate in Ghana over the ethical and legal implications of such actions.
Critics of the mass sackings argue that these terminations not only harm individuals who were appointed through legitimate processes but also create a climate of fear and instability within the public sector.
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Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin Criticizes President Mahama Over Public Sector Dismissals
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