What I am about to narrate didn’t begin in 2016. But let’s start there, as the events are still fresh in our memories and sparked public outcry.
2016: The Blame Game Begins
After the December 2016 elections results were declared by the Electoral Commission of Ghana, the outgoing National Democratic Congress (NDC) government made a series of appointments. The then opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), claiming to be the voice of the masses, condemned the move, calling it political favouritism. To them, it was a classic case of rewarding party loyalists. But the NDC saw nothing wrong, choosing to “see no evil, hear no evil.”
2017: The Tables Turn
In 2017, the NPP assumed office and immediately revoked the appointments made by the NDC after the elections. Suddenly, the roles reversed. The NDC, which once defended post-election appointments, cried foul, accusing the NPP of political witch-hunting. The NPP justified its actions as a necessary cleanup. The hypocrisy was glaring. This time NPP chooses to “see no evil, hear no evil.”
Fast Forward to 2024: History Repeats Itself
After the 2024 elections, the NPP made several last-minute recruitments, the same practice they strongly condemned in 2016. However, they defended their actions as essential for governance, arguing that their mandate remained valid until 11:59 PM on January 6, 2025. Ironically, they were alleged to have recruited even more people than the NDC did in 2016.
The NDC, once a staunch defender of last-minute appointments and recruitments, suddenly changed its tune. This time, they condemned the NPP, accusing them of nepotism and vowing to overturn the appointments if they take power in January 2025. The irony was unmistakable, a déjà vu, playing out all over again.
2025: The Cycle Continues
True to their word, when the NDC assumed power in 2025, they issued directives to revoke all appointments made by the NPP after December 7, 2024. This directive, issued by the presidency on February 10, 2025, has sparked widespread criticism, with many arguing that it is politically motivated and unjust, particularly for the affected individuals, especially the youth.
The NPP responded with press conferences condemning the act. It has emerged that the National Organizer of NPP, Henry Nana Boakye, has filed a suit against HE John Dramani Mahama’s directive to revoke appointments and recruitments made within the Public Services both before and after December 7, 2024, as unconstitutional. The NPP argues that the President’s directive is in contravention of Article 191(b) of the Constitution, which requires that any termination of employment must be done with just cause.
It is unfortunate that both parties vehemently criticized the appointments, accusing one another of doling out jobs to cronies and party foot soldiers without due process. Yet, neither could present solid evidence that all those so-called late recruitments were truly party affiliates. Their outrage, it seemed, was always selective, righteous indignation only sparked when they found themselves in opposition, but conveniently absent when they were in power.
The Ordinary Ghanaian Pays the Price
Caught in this political merry-go-round are ordinary Ghanaians mostly young people, the very people who woke up at dawn to queue and vote for them. They watched helplessly as the political elite secured jobs for themselves and their loyalists, while the masses remained unemployed.
The employment landscape in Ghana is dominated by the “who you know” or “which party you support” syndrome. It’s a system that rewards political loyalty over merit, leaving many talented Ghanaians jobless.
The Unemployment Crisis
According to the Ghana Statistical Service, the unemployment rate has been steadily increasing over the past decade. The youth are disproportionately affected, with many struggling to find jobs despite having the necessary education and qualifications.
This toxic system has bred pretence and hypocrisy. People now fake political loyalty just to secure employment. I vividly remember the NPP’s final rally at Legon. A young lady, wearing an NPP T-shirt, was asked by a JoyNews correspondent if she would vote for the NPP. Her response was “Eye Zu”. She was only there to survive. Now, if she’s among those to lose her job, how would she feel? Cheated? Betrayed?
Broken Promises and Shattered Dreams
During their campaign, the NDC promised jobs. People sang and danced to the “Kpreee ke Kpree” anthem, believing in the vision of a 24-hour economy and the new vision of the NDC party under the leadership of HE John Mahama. But if those recruited are now sacked, wouldn’t they feel deceived?
A Never-Ending Cycle?
This political cycle is all too predictable, and unless something changes now, the same scene will unfold again in 2028/2029. One party will make last-minute appointments, and the other will swoop in to revoke them. They only acknowledge the struggles of the people when they are in opposition, ignoring the very same issues when they are in power. The cycle of hypocrisy and self-interest continues, leaving the masses to suffer in silence. It’s time to break this pattern, before it’s too late. How long will this continue? Only God knows.
Breaking the Cycle: A Call for Change
I don’t have all the answers, but I call on you, dear reader, to stand with me in the urgent call for change. We can no longer afford to remain silent on the critical issue of employment An issue that has become a security threat to our beloved, peaceful country. If we continue to ignore this problem, the very fabric of our society will be at risk.
As Martin Niemöller profoundly warned:
First, they came for the Communists,
And I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the Socialists,
And I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
And I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
And I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—
And there was no one left to speak for me.
If we stay silent now, one day it may be our turn, and there will be no one left to stand for us. This is our chance to speak up, to make a difference, and to protect the future of our country. Let’s not wait until it’s too late. Let’s act now, together, before we lose what we’ve worked so hard to build.
Some Proposals
To break this cycle, we need systemic change. Here are some practical steps:
Review the Transitional Act: Make it illegal to conduct recruitment three months before a general election, just as it is for parliamentary by-elections (Cf. Article 112, Clause 6 of the Constitution). Anyone involved should be surcharged for the cost of the recruitment. This will prevent late recruitment or appointment since it can lead to instability in government operations, delaying key projects and the implementation of policies. This disrupts long-term planning, making it harder to achieve national goals and sustainable development.
Cut Excessive Allowances: Cutting excessive some allowances for Article 71 officeholders, CEOs, and MDs of State-Owned Enterprises could redirect significant funds to more pressing needs, such as paying salaries for unemployed Ghanaians. This would create job opportunities and promote a fairer distribution of resources.
Merit-Based Employment: Appointments should be based on qualifications, skills, and experience, not political loyalty affiliation. Last-minute appointments often prioritize political loyalty over qualifications and merit. This undermines the integrity of the recruitment process and limits the potential for skilled, capable individuals to contribute to the public sector.
Promote Job Creation: The government should introduce incentives for private companies to hire more workers, such as tax waivers for businesses that employ a certain number of individuals. This will not only boost job creation but also stimulate economic growth. Additionally, the government should kickstart the 24-hour economy policy, encouraging businesses to operate around the clock. This initiative can provide more job opportunities, increase productivity, and create a vibrant economy that operates beyond traditional working hours. Let’s embrace these strategies to create a more dynamic, inclusive job market for all..
Invest in Education and Vocational Training: We must equip the youth with the skills needed to thrive in the competitive job market through apprenticeships, internships, and entrepreneurship training. By fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, we can empower individuals to create their own opportunities rather than relying solely on government jobs. This shift will not only drive personal success but will also contribute to the growth and innovation of our entire economy. Let’s invest in the future of our youth by giving them the tools to succeed and build their own path.
The Time for Change is Now
We cannot afford to wait any longer. This vicious cycle must end. It’s time for Ghanaian leaders to prioritize the needs of the people over party politics. Let’s break the cycle and create a brighter future for the next generation.
The choice is ours either to remain silent or to speak out for change (reset). The time to act is now.
God bless our homeland Ghana.
Pax tecum
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