It has become clear that, many appointees of President Akufo-Addo, are
not ready to respect the strict directives of the Public Services
Commission to all workers in the Public Service to resign from their
post, after declaring their intentions to contest political party
primaries to become Members of Parliament (MPs) in the December 2020
General Elections.
The Chairman of the Public Services Commission, Janet Ampadu Fofie, had
in a circular dated August 8, 2019, to all Public Servants, reminding
them of constitutional provisions and several opinions by the Attorney
General in 2008 and 2015, which bar them from remaining in the Public
Service, after expressing their interest to take part in active partisan
politics.
The Chairperson also reminded them of various Circular issued by the
Public Service Commission in 2008, 2012 and 2015 and asked governing
boards and councils of public agencies, department, organizations, to
caution their members, who wish to engage in active party politics to
adhere to the Constitutional Provisions regarding their decisions and
resign.
However, appointees such as Stephen Amoah of the Micro Finance and
Small Loans (MASLOC) and his Deputy, Hajia Abibata Shanni Mahama
Zakariah, are contesting for parliamentary seats in Nhyiaeso in the
Ashanti Region and Yendi Constituencies in the Northern Region
respectively,on the ticket of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP),
but are not ready to resign from their government jobs.
Moses Mensah Assem, Deputy Managing Director of Bulk Oil Storage and
Transportation Company (BOST) and Abraham Kofi Asante of the Ghana
Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) are contesting
also for NPP seats in North Tongu in the Volta Region and Amenfi West in
the Western Region, respectively and again are not ready to resign from
their state jobs.
Two senior officers of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue
Authority (GRA) with their posters out seeking to go to Parliament on
the ticket of the NPP, are also yet to resign from their posts.
They are Sector Commander of the Elubo Collection Point, Assistant
Commissioner (AC), Edward K Osei and Principal Revenue Officer, Robert
Coffie-Amoako, at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) collection, are
contesting the Aowin constituency in the Western North Region
parliamentary seat.
Ironically, two police officers, Superintendent, Peter Toobu, the
former Executive Secretary to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and
Detective Corporal, John Evans Ayerakwa-Kumordzi, have had to drop their
uniforms and leave the Police Service to pursue their political
ambitions on the ticket of the opposition National Democratic Congress
(NDC).
The Head of Local Government Service, Dr. Nana Ato Arthur, also
recently sacked Alexander Hedidor and Ahajia Maazu Abubakar for also
contesting the NDC primaries, but those contesting on the NPP tickets
are yet to obey the August 8, letter from the Commission.
The commission, had said that “it has come to the attention of the
Public Services Commission that a number of public servants have
declared their intentions to contest in political party primaries as
members of parliament during the December 2020 General Elections.
Following numerous consultation and opinions by the Attorney General in
2008, 2012 and 2015, the Commission reiterates that participation of
public officers in party politics is governed by constitutional
provisions.”
She said Clause (2) Article 55 of 1992 Constitution provides that
“Every citizen in Ghana of voting age has the right to join a political
party,” while Paragraph (e) Clause (1) of Article 21 of the Constitution
provides for “Freedom of association, which shall include freedom of
form or join trade unions or other association, national and
international, for the protection of their interests!”
She also cited Clause (3) of the Article 21 of the Constitution, which
states that “all citizens shall have the right and freedom to form or
join political parties, and to participate in political activities,
subject to such qualifications and laws as are necessary in a free and
democratic society, and are consistent with this Constitution.”
The Constitution notes, however, in Article 284 that: “A public officer
shall not put himself/herself in a position where his personal interest
conflicts, or is likely to conflict, with the performance of the
functions of his office,” she said.
Therefore, a public officer, who intends to take part in active
political activities, whether directly or indirectly, should first
resign from the Public Service before taking the proximate steps towards
the realization of the ambition to be a member of parliament, or engage
in open party politics”adding “this is a choice that the public officer
cannot be denied. However, the integrity of the Public Service shall
not be compromised”. .
“Furthermore, a public officer shall not, in the performance of his/her
official functions act as an agent for or further the interest of a
political party or openly support a political party or candidate in deed
or action”, the statement said.
“The Commission is thus by this circular requesting governing Boards
and Councils of Public Service Agencies/Organization to communicate this
policy forcefully to all staff as we enter into the season of elections
for 2020. The Commission further directs that Governing Board and
Council must take all necessary steps to ensure adherence and compliance
with this directive”.
It is not clear, whether President Akufo-Addo, will take the bold step
and dismiss them from their posts, as per the directive from the
Commission.