Minister for Employment, Jobs, and Labour Relations, Rashid Pelpuo, has revealed that the previous Akufo-Addo administration hired approximately 12,000 individuals into the public sector just weeks after losing the 2024 general elections.
“In that space of time, after they lost the 2024 elections, they [Akufo-Addo administration] employed 12,000 people within a week or two in all sectors,” Mr. Pelpuo disclosed during an interview on Channel One TV. “We’re now investigating it, and our results will come out soon.”
In response, President John Dramani Mahama has established a committee to probe the circumstances surrounding the appointments, particularly in light of complaints about unfair dismissals.
Pelpuo, who co-chairs the committee, emphasized its mission: “The President has set up a committee to investigate all the people who are complaining of being sacked unfairly. I’m a co-chairman of that committee. We’re working very hard to get them a response.”
The committee is tasked with examining the timing, procedures, and potential political motivations behind the mass recruitment. Its findings are expected to determine whether due process was followed.
Beyond the investigation, Mr. Pelpuo reiterated the Mahama government’s broader commitment to job creation, especially for the youth. “This term is to reflect the promises we made to the youth, to get them to understand that it’s possible to get them jobs,” he stated.
Recognizing that employment opportunities might extend beyond Ghana’s borders, Pelpuo added, “If it’s not in Ghana, it can be somewhere else. So, we’re creating that circumstance of job creation. I’m building confidence in them to know that they can work both in Ghana and outside Ghana.”
“I’m linking up with various ministries and agencies to make sure that if jobs are available in their places, they should be up for young people,” he said.
“I’m also having discussions with governments who are outside Ghana, who are interested in migrating labour from Ghana, creating a condition of labour transfer to them.”
As part of this initiative, Pelpuo recently launched the “Ghana World Abroad” programme, which aims to facilitate overseas job placements for Ghanaian youth and ease domestic unemployment.
