40 sacked workers sue govt for wrongful termination

Forty (40) former public sector employees have dragged the government to court, challenging what they describe as wrongful and politically motivated dismissals.

The affected workers, who were employed in 2024, argue that their terminations violated constitutional provisions and due process.

Their dismissals followed a directive issued on February 10, 2025, by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, ordering all public institutions to revoke appointments made after December 7, 2024—the day Ghana held its presidential and parliamentary elections.

The directive justified the mass terminations as part of efforts to uphold good governance principles, asserting that such late-stage appointments under the previous NPP administration were irregular.

Represented by Dame and Partners, a law firm linked to former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, the plaintiffs have filed their suit against the Attorney General and six key state agencies: the Ghana Revenue Authority, the National Lottery Authority, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, the Ghana Shippers Council, and the National Health Insurance Authority.

The dismissed workers are seeking a court ruling that their terminations were unlawful, arguing that neither the President nor the Chief of Staff has the constitutional authority to remove public servants outside of the conditions outlined in Article 191(b) of the Constitution.

They are also asking for the Chief of Staff’s directive to be declared null and void, an order for their reinstatement, and compensation for the hardship caused by their sudden dismissal. Additionally, they are demanding that the government be barred from further political purges within the civil service.

Many of the affected workers claim they were subjected to rigorous recruitment processes, including aptitude tests and interviews, before securing their positions. Some insist they were hired well before December 7, yet their dismissal letters still cited the Chief of Staff’s directive as the reason for their termination.

The case has sparked outrage, with political figures rallying behind the dismissed workers.

Tafo MP, Ekow Vincent Assafuah has been vocal in condemning what he describes as a blatant act of injustice. According to him, the 40 plaintiffs represent only a fraction of those affected, estimating that at least 5,000 public servants have been unfairly removed from their positions under the Mahama-led administration.

“These individuals went through the right processes to secure their jobs. Their dismissals are purely political, and it is unacceptable. But we believe in the rule of law, and I have no doubt that justice will be served,” Assafuah stated.

The lawsuit is expected to become a major legal battle, testing the limits of executive power in public service appointments. With tensions rising and the opposition amplifying its criticisms, the case could have far-reaching implications for governance and employment practices in Ghana.

The government is yet to officially respond to the lawsuit.

source: Citi Newsroom