Minority condemns mass dismissal of Bank of Ghana staff as unconstitutional and morally wrong

The Minority in Parliament has strongly denounced the dismissal of over 100 employees from the Bank of Ghana, calling the action unconstitutional, unlawful, and morally indefensible.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, June 24, the Minority expressed outrage over what they described as a politically motivated purge, executed without due process, consultation, or legitimate cause.

Dismissals Breach Constitutional and Labour Rights

According to the Minority, the affected employees were lawfully recruited, vetted, and had already begun contributing meaningfully to public service. Their sudden termination followed a directive from the Chief of Staff dated February 11, 2025, ordering the revocation of all public sector appointments made after December 7, 2024.

“This directive has no legal basis and is entirely unconstitutional,” the Minority stated. “No institution should act on political expediency at the expense of the law.”

They cited Article 24 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees fair and satisfactory conditions of work, and Article 23, which mandates public institutions to act fairly, reasonably, and in accordance with the law.

Furthermore, the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) sets out clear legal grounds for dismissal—such as misconduct, redundancy, or incapacity—none of which, the Minority argues, apply in this case.

Procedural Violations and Misuse of Probation

Even if the dismissals were to be framed as redundancy, the Minority noted that the Bank of Ghana failed to meet essential legal obligations, such as notifying the Chief Labour Officer, consulting the affected workers, or providing compensation.

Claims that some staff were still on probation were also dismissed by the Minority.

“Probation is not a loophole for arbitrary dismissal,” they asserted, emphasizing that probationary staff are entitled to performance feedback, due process, and constitutional protection.

Call for Immediate Action

The Minority is demanding:

Immediate reinstatement of all dismissed staff;

Accountability from the Bank of Ghana Governor, who must appear before Parliament;

Urgent intervention from the Chief Labour Officer, National Labour Commission, and CHRAJ;

Legal assistance for affected workers to challenge their termination under Article 33 of the Constitution;

A full parliamentary inquiry into the dismissals.

Disregard for Parliament and Democratic Oversight

The Minority further criticised the Bank of Ghana for acting while a motion for a parliamentary probe into the dismissals is still pending.

“This is a clear affront to Parliament and an erosion of democratic accountability,” they noted.

Human Impact and National Implications

Beyond the legal and procedural breaches, the Minority highlighted the devastating personal impact on the affected staff—many of whom are young professionals, parents, and sole breadwinners now facing economic hardship and emotional trauma.

“This is more than a legal issue. It is a moral crisis,” the statement read.

Defending Rule of Law and Workers’ Rights

The Minority concluded with a firm call for justice and respect for the rule of law.

“This is not just about 100 workers. It’s about defending the very soul of our Republic. We must choose between the rule of law and rule by decree,” they declared.

They warned the Bank of Ghana that neither power nor secrecy will shield it from public scrutiny and pledged unwavering support for the affected workers until justice is served and their rights are restored.