Suspension of post-retirement contracts timely and strategic – Austin Gamey

A labour consultant and governance expert, Mr Austin Gamey, has welcomed President John Mahama’s directive suspending post-retirement contracts in the public sector, describing it as “the most appropriate thing to do at this point in time.”

The government, in a directive dated April 2, ordered the immediate suspension of all post-retirement contract appointments for retired public service staff across the country.

The directive, signed by the Secretary to the President, Dr Callistus Mahama, stated:

“The grant of post-retirement contract appointments to retired public service staff has been suspended with immediate effect.”

It further indicated that all current or future requests for contract extensions involving retired personnel would no longer be entertained.

“Consequently, all requests for such appointments will no longer be considered,” it added.

The statement concluded with a firm reminder for full compliance, instructing all relevant authorities to adhere strictly to the directive.

Reacting to the development on TV3’s Big Issues programme on Wednesday, April 9, Mr Gamey — who played a pivotal role in drafting Ghana’s national pension policy and labour law — said the retirement age of 60 is not arbitrary but based on extensive research and nationwide consultations.

“I was part of the commission that developed the pension scheme. We consulted widely across the country for over three years.

We firmly concluded that 60 years should be the retirement age. This was upheld during President Kufuor’s era. It’s not a decision rooted in partisan politics—it’s a constitutional imperative,” he stated.

Now 76 and still active in labour education, Mr Gamey criticised what he described as the abuse of discretionary powers by some institutional heads who continually renew post-retirement contracts, often for “parochial and political interests.”

“We’ve abused it. We’ve been very reckless in managing that discretion.

Our labour laws already make provision for part-time, temporary, contract-for-service, and even work-for-life arrangements in specific situations.

But turning these exceptions into a general practice is improper—and unfair to the youth,” he said.

With Ghana’s youth unemployment rate estimated to exceed 15%, Mr Gamey argued that extending the working years of retirees effectively blocks opportunities for younger professionals seeking entry into the public sector.

“Please, for heaven’s sake, stop doing this to young people,” he pleaded.

“Train them, develop their skills, mentor them—and let them take over.
This is the burden Ghana carries: an older generation unwilling to hand over.”

Responding to arguments that certain sectors, such as academia, require post-retirement expertise, Mr Gamey acknowledged the importance of experience but stressed that existing legal frameworks already provide sufficient flexibility.

“I’m not a PhD holder, but I teach master’s and undergraduate students in industrial relations at Legon,” he said.

“From 10 May, I’ll be teaching again for 11 weeks. If I’m tired, I’ll stop. The point is, we can manage expertise through part-time or contract work without distorting institutional succession.”

He warned that keeping retirees in key positions for extended periods can undermine productivity, entrench corruption, and weaken institutional systems.

“Very few can remain in positions for too long without placing personal interest above public interest,” he said.

“We need a new mindset. Train your replacements and step aside.”

Mr Gamey reiterated his strong support for the president’s directive, describing it as both strategic and timely.

“This is not a blank cheque. It’s a measured, administrative implementation of an existing law. And I pray God grants the president good health to continue this bold initiative,” he said.