The Minority in Parliament has strongly condemned the mass dismissal of over 100 employees of the Bank of Ghana, describing the action as unconstitutional, unlawful, and morally unacceptable.
At a press conference on Tuesday, 24 June, the Minority expressed outrage over the terminations, which they claim were carried out without due process, prior consultation, or any justifiable cause.
Terminations in Violation of Labour and Constitutional Rights
According to the Minority, the dismissed employees were legally recruited, duly vetted, and had been contributing meaningfully to national development. However, they were abruptly removed following a directive from the Chief of Staff, dated 11 February 2025, which called for the revocation of all public sector appointments made after 7 December 2024.
“This directive is wholly unconstitutional and unlawful,” the Minority asserted. “No such directive has legal authority, and institutions must not act on political whims.”
They cited Article 24 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees every Ghanaian the right to work under fair and satisfactory conditions, and Article 23, which requires public institutions to act fairly and in accordance with the law.
Additionally, the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) outlines specific grounds under which terminations may be lawfully carried out, including misconduct, incapacity, or redundancy. The Minority insists that none of these grounds applied in the Bank of Ghana’s decision.
Procedural Breaches Ignored
The Minority further pointed out that, even if the dismissals were based on redundancy, the Bank of Ghana failed to meet legal obligations such as notifying the Chief Labour Officer, consulting affected staff, or providing compensation — actions required by law.
Probation Status Not a Justification
They also dismissed claims that the dismissals could be justified on the basis that some staff were on probation.
“Probation is not a licence for arbitrary or unjustified termination,” they argued, stressing that probationary employees are still entitled to fair assessments, documented feedback, and constitutional protection.
The Minority has therefore called for the immediate reinstatement of the affected workers, insisting that Ghana’s labour laws and constitutional safeguards must be upheld by all public institutions, including the central bank.
Disrespect to Parliament and Democratic Oversight
The Minority further decried the Bank of Ghana’s decision to proceed with the dismissals despite a pending motion for a parliamentary inquiry into the matter.
This, they said, was a clear affront to Parliament and a disregard for democratic accountability.
Human and Social Impact
Beyond the legal issues, the Minority emphasised the human cost of the dismissals. The affected workers are described as young professionals, parents, and breadwinners who now face economic hardship and psychological distress due to the sudden loss of employment.
“This is more than a legal issue — it is a moral crisis,” the statement stressed.
Calls for Immediate Action and Accountability
The Minority has put forward a series of demands:
- Immediate Reinstatement: All dismissed workers should be reinstated without delay, recognising the lawfulness of their original appointments and the unlawfulness of their terminations.
- Accountability from the Bank Governor: The Governor of the Bank of Ghana must appear before Parliament to explain the mass dismissals and be held accountable for what the Minority described as an abuse of power.
- Intervention by Labour Authorities: The Chief Labour Officer, National Labour Commission, and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) are called upon to intervene promptly to protect the rights of the workers and halt what is described as lawlessness.
- Legal Support for Affected Workers: The Minority assured dismissed employees that they have the right to seek justice through the courts under Article 33 of the Constitution and pledged to support their legal efforts.
- Parliamentary Inquiry: The Minority vowed to pursue a vigorous parliamentary inquiry to expose the injustice, reverse the dismissals, and hold those responsible accountable.
A Stand for Rule of Law
The statement concluded with a resolute affirmation of commitment to the rule of law, democracy, and protection of workers’ rights.
“This is not just about these 100 workers. It is about the soul of our Republic. We must choose between rule of law and rule by decree. Parliament must stand firm. Institutions must act within the law. Workers must be protected,” the Minority declared.
They warned the Bank of Ghana that it cannot hide behind secrecy or power and that the people of Ghana are watching closely.
They pledged unwavering support for the dismissed workers until justice is achieved, and their jobs restored.
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