The government has cancelled 541 public sector recruitments and promotions undertaken during the transition period after the December 7, 2024, general elections.
This follows a detailed audit ordered by President John Dramani Mahama.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who said the decision was based on the findings of a committee mandated to scrutinise appointments processed after the elections.
The issue dates back to the final weeks of the administration of Nana Akufo-Addo, when a surge in public sector hiring was recorded between the declaration of the 2024 election results and the January 7, 2025 swearing-in of the new government. The development sparked public debate, with critics questioning whether due process had been followed
According to Kwakye Ofosu, the incoming administration had initially proposed a joint assessment of the transition-period appointments, but that overture was “flatly ignored.” After assuming office, the Chief of Staff issued a directive instructing state institutions to withdraw appointments made after December 7 pending further review — a move that generated mixed reactions over its sweeping nature.
To ensure fairness and clarity, a presidential committee was subsequently established to examine the appointments on a case-by-case basis. Thirty-six institutions appeared before the panel, 28 of which indicated that their recruitment processes had begun prior to the elections.
The committee reviewed a total of 2,080 recruitments, appointments and promotions. Before its work concluded, 879 appointments had already been revoked by institutions in response to the earlier directive, while 1,201 cases remained outstanding.
After completing its assessment, the committee recommended that 1,539 appointments be maintained, citing substantial compliance with established procedures and confirmation that appointment letters had been issued before the December 7 cut-off date, achieving at least an 80 per cent compliance threshold.
However, 541 appointments were flagged for cancellation because the processes were finalised after the elections and did not meet required procedural standards.
Interestingly, the final figure recommended for revocation was lower than the number initially withdrawn. Kwakye Ofosu explained that the committee deliberately exercised discretion in certain cases involving vulnerable individuals, particularly persons with disabilities recruited into the Ghana Education Service.
There were some of our compatriots who suffered some disability. But we found that their recruitment should be revoked because it did not comply with the laid-down process. But because of their peculiar situation and the hardship that could be imposed upon them if we were to enforce this directive, they were given some clemency,” he stated.
He further criticised the previous administration, saying, “The previous government was fully aware that basic requirements were not met in those cases and still went ahead to sanction them.”
Despite the controversy, the spokesperson insisted the review was conducted “without malice or ill-feeling towards anyone” and described it as “a necessary step to uphold the rule of law and ensure accountability
