Development communication expert Dr. Daniel Odoom has urged the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) to be measured in its demands on the government while calling for fairness in how the government handles the issue.
His comments come amid CLOGSAG’s nationwide strike over the appointment of Samuel Botchway as Registrar of the Births & Deaths Registry.
The association has argued that Mr. Botchway is politically exposed and, therefore, unfit for the role.
Initially, the government assured that he would be reassigned, but at a press conference on Wednesday, presidential spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu dismissed CLOGSAG’s demand as baseless.
He explained that the appointment was made in accordance with the 1992 Constitution and the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 2020 (Act 1027).
Citing Article 195 of the Constitution, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu stated that the President has the authority to appoint individuals to public service roles, adding that Mr. Botchway meets all legal requirements, including academic qualifications and public service experience.
Reacting to this, Dr. Odoom, in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, said the government’s initial assurance to engage with CLOGSAG was the right approach. However, he noted that Mr. Kwakye Ofosu’s recent comments could be interpreted as a shift in the government’s stance.
“The government initially called for cooperation, which was the best way forward. But Mr. Kwakye Ofosu’s response now gives the impression that the appointment is final and lawful without question,” he said.
He added that while CLOGSAG’s position may be firm, the association cannot be faulted for acting in bad faith.
“But Article 195(1) also states that such appointments must be made in consultation with the governing council, which is currently non-existent,” he pointed out.
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- Listen to Dr. Odoom in the audio above: