NPP Officials Rush Last-Minute Appointment of Foot-soldiers

The departing government under President Akufo-Addo is reportedly carrying out discreet last-minute appointments in various state institutions, with less than a month remaining before leaving office.

Following a humiliating electoral loss on Saturday 7 December 2024, the administration, facing a countdown of 28 days, is placing its loyalists and supporters in key positions within strategic institutions to secure job placements.

Critics argue that the motive behind this move is to fill scarce positions with their loyal followers, thereby constraining the incoming administration.

This tactic is believed to hinder the new government from appointing capable individuals from the ranks of the public and civil services to run the institutions professionally.

Key institutions affected by these appointments include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Ghana National Gas, Precious Mineral Marketing Company (PMMC), the troubled State Insurance Company (SIC), SIC LIFE, GETFUND, and the Registrar General Department, among others.

Sources reveal that these ongoing appointments began approximately three months ago as the incumbent government anticipated its electoral defeat. Confirmation of these appointments has been received by the concerned institutions, with letters already issued to the individuals selected.

Notably, at the PMMC, 60 individuals have been recruited and are set to commence their roles. There is growing unease within these institutions due to the sudden influx of appointees, some of whom lack a designated workspace to occupy.

While such eleventh-hour appointments are not unprecedented, they are facing criticism, particularly in light of the country’s prevailing economic challenges.

Calls have been made for those responsible to halt these actions, enabling the incoming administration to implement necessary reforms and steer the country towards a fresh direction, echoing promises made by Mr. Mahama during his campaign.

Moreover, speculations suggest that the incoming government may reject these appointments, mirroring the actions taken by the current government in 2017 when it disregarded certain appointments and contracts signed during the final days of the Mahama administration over eight years ago.