The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has reversed its decision to terminate the employment of approximately 100 staff members hired in December 2024. This move comes after significant internal deliberations and mounting public and political pressure.
The initial decision to lay off staff, which the Central Bank had previously defended as a routine post-probation assessment, is now shrouded in uncertainty. This abrupt reversal calls into question the earlier justifications provided for the terminations.
According to a report by myjoyonline.com, the affected employees have been informed that their contracts, initially set to terminate, will no longer be canceled. Sources indicate that the decision was made during a board meeting held this week, and the impacted staff have been asked to report back to work next week. Internal sources suggest that pressure from both within and outside the institution heavily influenced this change in course.
BoG’s Initial Justification for Terminations
The Bank of Ghana had earlier justified the terminations, explaining they followed a “thorough assessment conducted by the Department of Human Resources and Capacity Development.” The bank cited “considered performance outcomes, alignment with the Bank’s values, and the potential to contribute meaningfully to its strategic objectives” as the criteria for non-confirmation of appointments.
Reports indicated that 97 individuals received termination letters dated June 19, 2025, with an effective termination date of June 23, 2025. These letters instructed affected employees to return all institutional property and offered one month’s salary in lieu of notice.
A sample termination letter, signed by Mrs. Thelma E. Randolph-Akushie, read: “Management regrets to inform you that your appointment cannot be confirmed. Consequently, your employment with the Bank will be terminated effective Monday, June 23, 2025. In accordance with the terms of your appointment and the Bank’s policies, you will be paid one month’s salary in lieu of notice. Kindly ensure that all items belonging to the Bank currently in your possession are returned to the Human Resource and Capacity Development Department on or before Monday, June 23, 2025.”
The central bank maintained that this exercise was part of ongoing initiatives aimed at promoting strong institutional standards and implementing a human capital strategy consistent with its mandate to enhance financial and operational stability. They clarified that the staff probation review primarily affected personnel engaged after December 7, 2024, and that only a minority of the probationary staff had their appointments terminated.
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Parliament’s Minority Caucus Condemns Dismissals
The Minority Caucus in Parliament swiftly condemned the mass termination of BoG employees, asserting that these dismissals were carried out “without just cause, consultation, or due process,” representing a clear violation of the Constitution, labor laws, and basic decency.
During a media briefing in Parliament, the Minority argued that these workers were lawfully recruited, properly vetted, and were actively contributing to national development. Yet, they were dismissed en masse without warning.
Ms. Fatihiya Abdul-Aziz, Member of Parliament for Savalugu, stated that this action was allegedly inspired by a directive from the Chief of Staff, dated February 11, 2025, which sought to revoke all public sector appointments made after December 7, 2024. She firmly declared such a directive “wholly unconstitutional and unlawful,” adding, “No such directive has legal authority, and institutions must not act on political whims.”
Ms. Abdul-Aziz highlighted that Article 24 of the 1992 Constitution guarantees every Ghanaian the right to work under fair and satisfactory conditions, while Article 23 requires public institutions to act lawfully and fairly. She also referenced the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), specifically sections 64 and 65, which lay out clear grounds for termination—misconduct, incapacity, or redundancy—none of which, she argued, applied to these cases. She emphasized that if redundancy were the reason, the Bank of Ghana was legally required to notify the Chief Labour Officer, consult affected employees, and offer compensation, none of which occurred. Therefore, she concluded, these terminations were not just administrative errors but “calculated breaches of law.”
A Slap In The Face Of Parliament
The Minority also noted that some dismissals were disguised as “termination during probation,” stressing that “probation is not a license for arbitrary dismissal. It must be based on documented assessments and clear communication.” They asserted that even probationers are entitled to fair treatment and protection under Article 24. It was particularly troubling, they added, that the Bank of Ghana proceeded with these dismissals while a motion for a parliamentary inquiry was pending. Ms. Abdul-Aziz called this situation “a slap in the face of Parliament and a disregard for democratic oversight,” declaring, “No institution should act with such impunity.”
She passionately described the affected individuals as “hardworking Ghanaians – young professionals, parents, and breadwinners – who followed the rules and believed in fairness,” now facing “economic hardships, psychological distress, and shattered dreams.” She concluded that it was “more than a legal issue, it is also a moral crisis.”
The Minority in Parliament pledged unwavering support for these workers, demanding their immediate reinstatement and restoration to their rightful positions without any further delay, as their appointments were lawful. They also demanded accountability from the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, urging him to face Parliament and explain this “heartless abuse of power,” declaring, “You are not above the law, and you will answer to the people.”
Allegations have circulated across the country that the dismissals were politically motivated, with speculation that the then-ruling New Patriotic Party may have rushed to recruit people just after losing the 2024 general elections.
National Identification Authority (NIA) Contract Staff Also Affected
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has also announced that it will not renew the contracts of all temporary staff as part of an ongoing rationalization program. A memo dated June 11, 2025, from the NIA stated: “The offer of all temporary employment to any individual will strictly be subject to the recommendations of Heads of Directorates/Units, the assessment of their performance in relation to the role they played during the period of their contract, and the approval of the Executive Secretary.” The NIA further notified all temporary staff that their employment would end on June 30, 2025, unless they received a new offer of temporary employment.
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