Forty former public sector employees have dragged the government to court, challenging what they describe as wrongful and politically motivated dismissals.
The group, represented by Dame and Partners, a law firm linked to former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, contends that their terminations violated due process and Article 191(b) of the Constitution, which protects public servants from arbitrary dismissal.
Their sackings followed a February 10, 2025, directive from Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, instructing public institutions to revoke appointments made after December 7, 2024—the day of Ghana’s general elections.
The directive justified the mass terminations as a governance measure aimed at addressing alleged irregular appointments made under the previous NPP administration.
However, the plaintiffs argue that the government’s move was an unlawful political purge that undermined their rights.
The applicants were former staff of institutions such as the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority (GPHA), the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
The dismissed workers are seeking a court ruling that their terminations were unlawful, arguing that neither the President nor the Chief of Staff has the constitutional authority to remove public servants outside of the conditions outlined in Article 191(b) of the Constitution.
They are also asking for the Chief of Staff’s directive to be declared null and void, an order for their reinstatement, and compensation for the hardship caused by their sudden dismissal. Additionally, they are demanding that the government be barred from further political purges within the civil service.