Termination of ‘last minute’ jobs, contracts likely – Osafo-Maafo

The Senior Minister nominee, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, has suggested that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, may terminate last-minute employments and contracts undertaken by the former National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

The last minute contracts and appointments were a point of contention between both sides of the transition team, following the NPP's election victory.

The NPP side of the transition team subsequently said it reserved the right to review all such contentious appointments and decisions.

Mr. Osafo-Maafo, during his ministerial vetting by Parliament, reminded that when the transitional team was formed, some ground rules were agreed on, including an agreement to cease employment and procurement, whilst the new president, Nana Akufo-Addo, was awaiting his swearing-in.

“Naturally, these things can and should be reviewed as a matter of course,” he insisted to the committee.

Without being overly definite, Mr. Osafo-Maafo opined that, some newly appointed ministers may also decide to do away with employees who were engaged after the elections, as they may prove to be problematic.

“The minister is likely to say that for all those who were not on the payroll by a particular date, I will do away with their services. I can see it happening,” he indicated as an example.

Mr. Osafo-Maafo was, however, clear that “procurement done after 7th of December in certain cases, would have to be justified in terms of when it was commenced, where it has reached and that kind of thing.”

He explained further that, the incoming NPP government had put a priority on a smooth transition, thus it was not overly vocal with its position on the last minute appointments among others.

According to the Senior Minister nominee, this was so that the incoming government could take the time “to do what was right and what we can explain to the Ghanaian public, like if names appear on the payroll after December, we will definitely lay them off quietly.”

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana