Editorial: Kudos To Govt For Taking Steps To Reinstate Wrongfully Sacked Public Sector Workers

The government is taking steps to reinstate public sector workers who were wrongfully laid off during the transition period, following the change in administration, the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, has said.

In an interview on Joy FM on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Mr Pelpuo revealed that a special committee has been established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of these employees.

The committee, co-chaired by the Employment Minister and a Deputy Chief of Staff, Nana Oye Bampoe, is currently reviewing the cases of 12,000 workers who were hired shortly before the change in government.

Dr Pelpuo explained that the investigation is aimed to verify the legitimacy of their appointments and ensure that those who were properly employed through the correct channels are reinstated without delay.

MrPelpuo also noted that some of the dismissals were due to irregularities, such as false documents and improper hiring practices. He stressed that the government is committed to upholding fairness and transparency while addressing these issues.

First, this is the right way to go. The announcement the Minister made is taking decisive steps to reinstate public sector workers who were wrongfully dismissed during the transitional phase of the last change in administration deserves commendation.

At a time when public institutions in many parts of Africa face accusations of political interference, nepotism and disregard for due process, this intervention is not only necessary it is morally imperative.

It is a well-known fact that political transitions in Ghana have often been accompanied by waves of dismissals, targeting individuals perceived to be aligned with outgoing administrations.

Such actions, often taken without proper legal scrutiny, disrupt livelihoods, demoralise the public workforce and contribute to the politicization of the civil service.

While it is within the prerogative of any incoming government to review appointments particularly those made hastily during a transitional window it must be done within the boundaries of law and fairness.

When competent individuals are shown the exit for no fault of theirs, the entire governance machinery suffers. Institutional memory is lost, morale dips and productivity wanes.

However, Dr. Pelpuo was right to clarify that not all dismissals were wrongful. The revelation that some terminations were due to irregularities such as forged documents and improper hiring practices underscores the need for a balanced approach.

This is why the committee’s mandate to distinguish between rightful and fraudulent appointments is crucial. It sends a clear message that the current administration is not simply reversing decisions for political gain, but rather acting in the interest of justice and institutional integrity.

Moreover, this probe and potential reinstatement process is not just about correcting a past error. It is also about strengthening the future of Ghana’s public service. Reinstating workers who were legitimately hired ensures that the system retains skilled manpower.

It also sends a signal to aspiring public servants that competence, legality, and fairness not political affiliation are the pillars of recruitment and retention.

There is also a broader socioeconomic dimension to this effort. At a time when unemployment remains a national concern, wrongful dismissals are not just an HR issue; they are a development challenge.

Every breadwinner unfairly removed from service plunges a family deeper into economic distress. Reinstating them, therefore, goes beyond restitution – it is a step toward social protection and poverty alleviation.

This initiative aligns well with the government’s broader employment agenda and promises to set a precedent in good labour governance. But the process must be insulated from political interference.

The committee must be transparent, objective, and efficient. It must also ensure that its work leads to actionable outcomes not just a report that gathers dust on a shelf. The public deserves to see real justice served.

The government must be applauded for this bold step and it must be encouraged to see it through with integrity and transparency.

Let this be a turning point in how Ghana manages transitions not with purges, but with principles.

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