CLOGSAG wants Western North Regional Minister sacked over interference

The Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG), has called on President Nana Akufo-Addo to immediately terminate the appointment of the Western North Regional Minister, Richard Ebbah Obeng, for alleged interfering in the work of the Local Government Service.

The Association at the news conference in Accra on November 23, 2021 accused the Minister of “meddling in the day to day activities of the Office of the Head of Local Government Service”. They claimed they are “appalled” by the stance of Richard Ebbah Obeng, for breaching a Supreme Court ruling.

“Richard Ebbah Obeng has erroneously arrogated to himself the power to post officers of the Local Government Service. He has also directed his personal Assistant to lock up the office of one of the two officers who had been posted by the Regional Minister”, emphasizing the point that, “significantly, some staff of the Local Government Service have had their appointments terminated for contravening the Supreme Court Ruling on Neutrality on partisan activities”.

The press conference addressed by the Executive Director, CLOGSAG, Isaac Bampoe Addo said evidence available to them has shown that, the Regional Minister posted two Assistant Directors of the Local Government Service in contravention of existing procedure for postings.

“It is worthy to note that the Supreme Court Ruling on Neutrality emphasizes the importance that “no civil servant must owe, or be seen to owe, appointment or promotion to partisan activities since visible partisanship by civil servants would severely impair, if not destroy, the public perception of neutrality”.

“We had earlier advised the Hon. Minister to rescind his decision but to no avail,” he added.

He has served notice that, if by Friday, November 26, 2021 the postings have not been reversed, the Association would be compelled to convene an Emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to pave way for further action.

He further directed that “staff of the Regional Coordinating Council of Western North Region should disregard any unlawful instructions from the Regional Minister”.

By Edzorna Francis Mensah