Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, Davis Ansah Opoku
The Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, Davis Ansah Opoku, has called for an end to politically motivated dismissals, stressing that job security should be based on competence rather than political affiliation.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, February 202, in observance of World Day for Social Justice, he urged President John Dramani Mahama, and the Chief of Staff to put a stop to the widespread dismissal of workers following political transitions.
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 shared 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 recounted.
Opoku argued that the dismissal of workers based on political reasons has been a long-standing issue in Ghana’s governance and should not be normalised. “It was wrong in the past. It is wrong now. And it will remain wrong tomorrow,” he stated firmly.
He emphasised 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, Hon. 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 with 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.
GA/KA
You can also watch Godfred Dame’s full speech on legal case withdrawals below:
