President John Dramani Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama, in May 2017, criticized then President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for dismissing workers employed during the final days of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration in 2016.
At the time, Mahama, serving as the opposition leader, condemned Akufo-Addo’s mass dismissals, particularly of workers who had been recruited in the final days of the NDC government before the 2016 general elections.
After assuming power on January 7, 2017, then elected New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration laid off many workers appointed during the NDC’s tenure.
The NPP argued that, between December 9, 2016, and January 7, 2017, the outgoing NDC government engaged in “last-minute” recruitment into state institutions and signed contracts without proper planning.
However, the NDC insisted that governance should not come to a halt during the transition period, emphasizing that Mahama had a mandate to lead until January 7, 2017.
Following the mass dismissals at the time, Mahama took to social media, posting a series of tweets criticizing the NPP government’s actions.
“These workers are all citizens and, like all Ghanaians, have rights that must be protected,” one of his tweets read.
“Bad precedent for our governance. Mass sacking of workers by the NPP government is unacceptable,” another tweet stated.
However, after returning to power as President following the 2024 general elections, Mahama has taken a similar action, dismissing all last-minute appointees recruited by the previous NPP government.
A letter issued on February 10, 2025, by the presidency and addressed to all heads of government institutions directed that all such appointments and recruitments be revoked.
“Consistent with government procurement regulations regarding end-of-tenure appointments and recruitments, I wish to bring to your attention that all appointments and recruitments made in the Public Services of Ghana after December 7, 2024, are not in compliance with established good governance practices and principles.
“Accordingly, all heads of government institutions are hereby requested to take the necessary steps to annul any such appointments or recruitments and submit a comprehensive report on the actions taken to this Office by February 11, 2025,” the letter stated.
Following this directive, Mahama’s past statements criticizing the Akufo-Addo administration for similar dismissals have resurfaced on social media.
Many users have been circulating his old tweets, accusing him of double standards.
Bad precedents for our governance. Mass sacking of workers by the NPP govt unacceptable. #OneGhana #OnePeople
— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) May 26, 2017
These workers are all citizens and like all Ghanaians have rights, which must be protected. #OneGhana #OnePeople
— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) May 26, 2017
AM/KA
