Fatimatu Abubakar defends late-stage recruitments and payments, challenges NDC allegations

The Minister for Information and spokesperson for the 2024 Transition Team, Fatimatu Abubakar, has responded to allegations from the incoming administration, defending the government’s recent recruitments and payments as lawful and necessary.

In a press statement on Tuesday, 17 December 2024, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, spokesperson for the Mahama Transition Team, warned that any unauthorised recruitments, promotions, or backdated financial transactions would be reversed after the formal transfer of power.  

He stated that during the second joint meeting on Friday, December 13, 2024, both sides had agreed that such actions required clearance from the joint Transition Team.  

However, Mr Kwakye Ofosu alleged that the NPP government had disregarded this agreement and acted unilaterally. 

The statement emphasised that any last-minute payments, appointments, or promotions—some allegedly backdated—would be reversed by the new administration.  

Responding to these claims during an interview on Citi FM, Fatimatu Abubakar dismissed the accusations, maintaining that all government actions were lawful.  

She asserted that the current administration remained fully empowered until the official handover and described the actions taken as both legal and necessary.  

Ms. Abubakar urged the incoming government to avoid politicising standard administrative processes. "The real question is whether the government has done anything illegal," she remarked. "If so, they can pursue legal action. The people of this country will support them if they choose that path. But if nothing illegal has occurred, they should not use the transition process to undermine President Akufo-Addo's constitutional mandate."  

The minister further clarified that the activities in question were part of the approved 2024 budget, which had been scrutinised and passed by Parliament, including members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).  

She expressed surprise at the NDC's objections, noting their involvement in the budgetary process. “The NDC was fully involved in scrutinising and passing the budget,” she explained. “Now, after supporting it, they are questioning activities that fall within the budget’s scope. Why raise concerns now, when these actions align with the approved plans?”