The Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, Davis Ansah Opoku, has called for an end to politically motivated dismissals, emphasizing that job security should be based on competence rather than political affiliation.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, February 20, to mark World Day for Social Justice, he urged President John Dramani Mahama and the Chief of Staff to halt the widespread dismissals of workers following political transitions.
Mr. Opoku described the practice as unfair and detrimental to national progress.
“Mr. Speaker, today is a day for reflection on fairness, equity, and inclusion. But how can we genuinely engage in discussions about social justice when hardworking Ghanaians are losing their jobs overnight—merely due to a change in government?” he questioned.
He recounted his personal experience of being denied employment at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in 2017 despite being qualified and a member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
“I have lived through this before and know how painful it is. No Ghanaian should have to experience that,” he stated.
Mr. Opoku argued that dismissing workers based on political reasons has been a long-standing issue in Ghana’s governance and should not be normalized.
“It was wrong in the past. It is wrong now. And it will remain wrong tomorrow,” he asserted.
He stressed that public sector employment should not be tied to partisan interests, as it undermines national development and weakens public trust in governance. Instead, he called for a merit-based system that values performance and dedication over political loyalty.
In his concluding remarks, Mr. Opoku made a direct appeal to President Mahama and the Chief of Staff, urging them to reconsider the ongoing dismissals.
“If we truly want to reset Ghana and bridge the gap through social justice, then we must start by ensuring fairness in employment,” he said.
His statement resonated across the House, with many MPs acknowledging the need for bipartisan efforts to protect workers from politically motivated job losses.
As Ghana marked World Day for Social Justice, Mr. Opoku’s message was clear: true social justice must begin with protecting every Ghanaian’s right to employment, free from political discrimination.
ALSO READ: