Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Dame, has sued the government for the wrongful dismissal of 40 individuals who were affected by the directive issued by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, terminating all appointments in the public service after December 7, 2024.
The action instituted on behalf of the aggrieved individuals by the law firm, Dame and Partner,s seeks to challenge the constitutionality of the Chief of Staff’s directives to terminate their appointments without just cause.
The lawyers of the group led by Mr Dame contend that the directive flouts Article 191(b) of the 1992 Constitution, which shields public servants from arbitrary dismissals.
Their dismissals were occasioned by a February 10, 2025, fiat from the Office ofthe Chief of Staff to all government agencies and units to terminate the appointments of all persons recruited into the public service after December 7, 2024.
The dismissals are being defended by functionaries of the government as a step to correct irregular recruitments into the public sector done under the erstwhile NPP government and to check the burden of emoluments of such persons on the health of the national budget.
The plaintiffs argue that the move unfairly impedes their rights to work after being taken through all the required processes stipulated by the public sector recruitment guidelines.
The suit is primarily targeting six (6) state agencies in addition to the Attorney General’s Department.
1) Ghana Revenue Authority
2) Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority
3) National Health Insurance Authority
4) National Lottery Authority
5) Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority
6) Ghana Shippers Council
The reliefs being sought by the plaintiffs include the following;
– Declare the terminations unlawful.
– Nullify the Chief of Staff’s directives.
– Order their immediate reinstatement.
– Award them financial costs for economic challenges
– Prevent further dismissals in the Civil Service.
