Constitutional rights and policy strategy advisor at the Democracy Hub, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has called for stronger legal and constitutional safeguards to protect public-sector workers during changes of government in Ghana.
Speaking on Newsfile on Joy News on Saturday, March 7, he said the issue has become systemic and requires clear rules to prevent unfair dismissals.
His comments follow the Minority in Parliament’s call for the reinstatement of more than 1,500 public-sector workers dismissed after the January 2025 transition of power. The opposition described the terminations as arbitrary and harmful to young people entering the labour market.
Mr Barker-Vormawor referenced a report by H Kwasi Prempeh which examined how other countries manage public appointments during election periods.
He noted that in the Philippines, governments are restricted from making appointments two months before presidential elections unless necessary to avoid disruptions in public service.
Similarly, the Kenya Constitution prevents major appointments between the time of voting and the inauguration of a new president.
According to him, Ghana should adopt similar measures to regulate appointments, contracts and financial commitments that extend into a new administration.
He stressed that young people are often the most affected when political transitions lead to job losses.
“Young people have to be treated fairly. There are lives at stake—people plan their lives around employment,” he said.
Mr Barker-Vormawor proposed reforms to the Presidential Transitions Act and the broader constitutional framework to create clearer rules and reduce abuse of discretionary powers by public officials.
He also called for a review of existing laws to ensure they align with the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, suggesting that the Law Reform Commission could play a key role in auditing and updating the country’s legal framework.
