Spokesperson for the government side of the transition team who is also the Minister of Information Fatimatu Abubakar, says no last-minute clearance has been made by government for subsequent recruitment.
Addressing the media Thursday, December 19, 2024, she noted those actions claimed to be last-minute by the incoming transition team, were done months back emphasizing that the government’s mandate does not expire until January 7, 2025.
The National Transition Team, inaugurated on December 11, 2024, was tasked with overseeing the critical process of briefing the incoming government on state matters, providing access to essential government data, and coordinating the formal inauguration of the President-elect.
After the second meeting of the committee, there have been emerging issues from the incoming government side of the transition team alleging some last-minute clearance for recruitment and payments being done by government.
According to the spokesperson for the incoming government Transition Team, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the timing of those recruitment could have severe fiscal implications on the incoming government. Suggesting a breech in an agreement with the government side to halt such actions.
But the Spokesperson for the government side of the transition team, Fatimatu Abubakar, has debunked the assertions.
“For the records, since we lost the election on 7th December 2024 the Ministry of Finance has not issued a single financial clearance to any MMDA to recruit. The Ministry of Finance has not issued any new commencement warrants to any MDA. So I’m saying that it has not even happened, whatever they are purporting to the last minute, this last minute that does not exist. “And I am saying we haven’t done that,” she clarified.
She further clarified that government is still working within its mandate until the handing over on January 7 next year.
“There is no law or provision in the Transition Act stopping government from paying or recruiting. It doesn’t exist. That is the first point. The second point, there is no agreement between the NDC side and the outgoing government or NPP side on the transition team to submit a recruitment and payment to the transition team that also does not exist. So, if a request or a proposition is not backed by law or by any set purported agreement. I don’t know on what basis you would bring out such a statement and call such a public and set a media campaign against the outgoing government that there was an agreement which they have flouted.
“I believe if there was a law and a breach of any law, that would be where they would have pointed to. They proposed that they want recruitment, what they call as last-minute recruitment and payment, referred to the team, but outside of the team, reminded them that the mandate the executive authority given to the President for which he has appointed his cabinet ministers and government does not expire until the mid eve of 7th January, 2025,” she stated.
Ongoing recruitments have statutory approvals, not illegal, says Government’s Transition Team
