Transition team to probe last-minute deals - Payment, recruitment involved

The joint transition team working on the transfer of power from the government to the incoming administration will set up a committee to probe red flags raised over last-minute recruitment by the outgoing government into various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

The committee will be tasked to determine if the recruitment followed laid down procedures and adhered to a fair process.

It will also be required to determine if the Ministry of Finance issued financial clearance before those recruitment were made.

The committee will further investigate a pending payment of GH¢240 million to an entity linked to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

The Spokesperson for the Transition Team, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, told the Daily Graphic in an interview that yesterday’s meeting sought to institute a committee to probe the issues raised in order to make a determination.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu expressed concern about the fiscal implications of the last-minute recruitments, saying the timing of those recruitments would have severe fiscal implications on the incoming government.

On the issue of the pending payment of GH₵240 million to a company linked to ECG, Mr Kwakye Ofosu questioned the timing and scale of the payment, saying there was the need for the incoming government to make such critical financial decisions, citing good governance principles.

“Good governance requires that the incoming government is given the opportunity to make these decisions.

“We raised strong objections to these manoeuvres, and requested that they be put on hold,” he said.

The government side reportedly agreed to this, and Mr Kwakye Ofosu said the team "forcefully insist that this is a dangerous precedent".

He also highlighted the need for broader consultations to address these matters, emphasising the incoming administration's responsibility to safeguard the public purse amidst an already fragile economic situation.

Background  

The transition process in Ghana has historically been marked by concerns over last-minute appointments and payments.

In 2017, the then incoming administration of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo raised concerns over the large number of last-minute appointments made by the outgoing administration.

The practice of making last-minute appointments and payments is often seen as a way for outgoing administrations to reward loyalists and secure their interests before leaving office.

In Ghana, the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921) provides a framework for the management of public finances.

The Act requires that all public financial transactions be transparent, accountable and in line with established procedures.

To ensure a smooth transition and address concerns over last-minute appointments and payments, the President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, appointed a 10-member transition team to lead the process for a transfer of power to the incoming administration.

The team, led by Julius Debrah as Co-Chairperson, is made up of the Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah; General Secretary of the NDC, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey; experienced civil service figure, Dr Callistus Mahama; a former Deputy Chief of Staff under Mr Mahama’s former regime, Dr Valerie Sawyer; lecturer and former minister of state, Prof. Kwamena Ahwoi; Leader of the NDC caucus in Parliament, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson; Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga; industrialist and lawyer, Goosie Tanoh, and former Minister of Communications, Dr Edward Omane Boamah.

The transition team's primary responsibility is to ensure a seamless transfer of power on January 7, 2025.

As part of their mandate, the team will investigate last-minute recruitment and payments made by the outgoing administration.

The committee's work will help to ensure that the incoming administration is not burdened with unnecessary financial commitments, and the principles of good governance and transparency are upheld.