A reckless abandon decision that has also been roundly described as bizarre, President John Dramani Mahama has issued letters of invocation of appointments to some senior public officers who had retired from public service.
In a letter dated January 16, 2025, which was addressed to Professor Ken Agyemang Attafuah, former Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Dr. Callistus Mahama, Secretary to the President, said, “I write to formally inform you that H. E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana has revoked your appointment as the Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA) effective immediately.
“You are directed to hand over your duties to Wisdom Kwaku Deku who shall act as the Executive Secretary of the Authority.
“The President extends his gratitude for your service to the nation.”
Interestingly, Prof. Attafuah retired from the Public Service of Ghana as the Executive Secretary of NIA on 13th November, 2024, almost a month before President Mahama was elected.
Prof. Attafuah’s exit from the NIA followed the expiration of his post-retirement contract after his 65th birthday on 9th November, 2024.
The former NIA boss after an interaction with Dr. Callistus Mahama on the purported revocation of his appointment said, “I duly submitted my Handing Over Notes to the Transition Team on time and have handed over all properties belonging to NIA in my custody.
“The above facts might have been inadvertently missed in the preparation and issuance of the said letter. In the circumstances, the withdrawal of the impugned letter will help redress the awkwardness and embarrassment it has caused me personally, and also address any apparent slighting of the lawful appointment of Mr. Mahama Sualihu as Acting Executive Secretary since 14th November.”
‘Retired Kokofu sacked’
Just like Prof. Attafuah, Dr. Callistus on the same 16th January, 2025, also wrote to Dr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu, supposedly revoking his appointment as the Executive Director of Environment Protection Agency (EPA).
In the letter, the Secretary to the President said, “I write to formally inform you that H. E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana has revoked your appointment as the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), effective immediately.
“You are directed to handover your duties to Prof. Nana Ama Browne Kludze who shall act as the Executive Director of the Agency.
“The President extends his gratitude for your service to the nation.”
Incidentally, Dr. Kokofu also retired from EPA in March 2024, after his post-retirement contract.
Wagging tongues
Tongues are wagging with many political connoisseurs questioning whether there will be due diligence in decision-making during President Mahama’s second coming at the presidency.
