Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, Davis Ansah Opoku, addressed Parliament n World Day for Social Justice, to condemn the large-scale dismissal of workers due to political transitions, urging President John Dramani Mahama and the Chief of Staff to put an end to this practice.
He emphasised that job security should be based on competence rather than political affiliation.
“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? These are young men and women with families to support, responsibilities to uphold, and dreams to pursue. What are they meant to do now?” he asked.
Hon. Opoku shared his experience of being denied employment at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in 2017, despite his qualifications and political allegiance.
“I have lived through this before and know how painful it is. In 2017, despite being a member of the ruling NPP, I was denied access to work at NHIA. I felt powerless. I wondered how I would survive and take care of my family. No Ghanaian should have to experience that,” he recounted.
Drawing from this experience, he noted that mass dismissals have been a recurring issue in Ghana’s governance and should not be accepted as a norm.
“It was wrong in the past. It is wrong now. And it will remain wrong tomorrow,” he stated firmly.
Hon. Opoku emphasised that public sector employment should not be tied to partisan interests as it undermines national development and weakens public trust in governance.
“We must move beyond this era of ‘tit-for-tat’ governance, where every new administration feels entitled to clear out workers perceived as belonging to the previous government. Ghana cannot progress if people fear losing their livelihoods after every election cycle. We need a system that values merit, performance, and dedication over political affiliation.”
In concluding his submission, Hon. Opoku directly appealed to President Mahama and the Chief of Staff, urging them to reconsider the ongoing dismissals and instead focus on policies that promote job security and fairness.
“If we truly want to reset Ghana and bridge the gap through social justice, then we must start with ensuring fairness in employment. I appeal to the President and the Chief of Staff—let us do the right thing. Let us give these young men and women the opportunity to work, contribute to our economy, and support their families.”
His submission received strong reactions across the House, with many MPs acknowledging the urgent need for bipartisan efforts to protect workers from politically motivated job losses.
As Ghana marked World Day for Social Justice, Hon. Opoku’s message was clear: true social justice must begin with protecting every Ghanaian’s right to employment, free from political discrimination.
