Love was NOT in the air at the National Communications Authority (NCA) this Valentine’s Day! Kwadwo Gyamfi Osafo-Maafo, son of ex-Senior Minister Yaw Osafo-Maafo, got a pink slip instead of roses, fired from his Director of Cyber Security gig.
This comes hot on the heels of his brother, Kofi Bosompra Osafo-Maafo, getting the boot from the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) who as Director-General, was also fired together with his deputies days ago.
His sacking letter which leaked on social media was signed by the chief of the Ministry Alexander Yaw Arphul copied to the President at the Jubilee House.
He was ordered to hand over his office to the acting Director-General (D-G) Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko. The letter also indicated that the sacked staff will be given three months’ salary for any inconvenience.
A copy of his termination letter sighted by this portal read “I write to inform you that the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations has terminated your appointment as the Director of Cyber Security of the National Communications Authority, effective immediately.
You are directed to hand over your duties to the Ag, Director-General of the National Communications Authority. In line with paragraph eight (8) of your appointment letter, you would be given three (3) month’s salary in lieu of notice.”
But the Valentine’s Day bloodbath didn’t stop there! Also featuring prominently is a protégé of the immediate past Minister, Ursula Gifty Owusu Ekuful.
Popularly known as Maame Broni and privately as Sandra Frimpong, the former radio presenter was also shown the door, along with the Ablekuma West NPP Constituency Chairman.
Mrs Ekuful was the Member of Parliament (MP) until the last December election where he lost the seat to Rev Kwaku Addo of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Rumours are flying that over 14 NCA staffers, including some politically connected big shots, got the chop. It’s a regular Friday the 13th, except it’s February 14th!
Meanwhile, Minister Samuel George Nartey is on a mission! He’s demanding a list of all frequency authorizations handed out in the last two months. He’s on a hunt for any dodgy deals involving state resources.
This is just the “first phase” of a full audit, promising a clean-up in the broadcasting world.
Below is copy of Osafo Maafo’s removal letter….
In related development, the Minister has also ordered to be furnished with his office a list of all frequency authorizations issued or renewed in the last 60 days.
A statement communicating this directive issued on Wednesday 12 February, 2025 said the move is to “ensure that all state resources within the purview of the Ministry which have been handed over to private interests in a manner inconsistent with law and laid down procedure must be recovered for the benefit of the state.
It added that “This marks the first phase in what would be a complete audit of all frequency authorizations to ensure sanity in the use of State resources in the broadcasting space”.
Kama
In related issue the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP)’s decision to take the government to court over the abrupt termination of ‘last-minute’ appointments by the Akufo-Addo administration, has drawn some interesting responses.
Individuals affected by similar actions in 2017 have begun to voice their experiences. One such individual, Citizen Gadafi Gh, who was employed by the Mahama government in 2016 but dismissed from his role in February 2017, has come forward to share his story.
Ghadafi states that he applied for a position at the National Service Authority (NSA) on October 7, 2016, after it was publicly advertised. However, following the electoral victory of the new administration in December 2016, Ghadafi, along with many others, had his appointment revoked on February 8, 2017.
At that time, the NSA’s acting executive director was Ussif Mustapha, supported by Henry Nana Boakye, also known as Nana B, and Gifty Oware Aboagye.
The termination letter, titled “withdrawal of recent staff recruitment for the National Service Secretariat,” cited violations of the recruitment process as grounds for the decision.
The letter explained that due to petitions to the Public Services Commission (PSC) regarding the recruitment process, the PSC had advised the former acting executive director to halt the recruitment until the matter was resolved. Despite this, appointment letters were issued to some individuals on December 15, 2016.
The letter assured those affected that a new opportunity for proper recruitment would be provided in the future. Prior to the terminations, the incoming government had signaled its intentions not to honor the appointments made by the previous administration.
Current Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, who was once a spokesperson for the Education Ministry, had supported the decisions made at that time.
However, Assafuah is now expressing discontent with the current government’s actions and critiquing their handling of the situation.
In response to the termination of appointments, both Nana B and Assafuah have raised concerns about the legality and fairness of the government’s actions.
Nana B, the NPP’s national organizer, questioned the President’s commitment to upholding the Constitution and expressed the need for justice in defending the affected individuals.
Assafuah condemned what he referred to as the “illegal dismissals” by the government and highlighted the need to uphold public service rules.
The saga surrounding the termination of appointments at the NSA continues to unfold as those affected seek redress through legal avenues.