Dr. Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, Ghana’s Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, has acknowledged that recruitment activities are currently underway across the country.
However, he stopped short of confirming whether these recruitments are intended to fill the vacancies left by employees dismissed following the December 7th, 2024 workforce reductions.
The issue was raised during a parliamentary session when a member of parliament questioned the Minister about his awareness of ongoing recruitment efforts aimed at replacing those who lost their jobs in the recent dismissals.
Dr. Pelpuo responded candidly, stating, “I am aware that some recruitments are happening; whether they are to replace those that were dismissed earlier or not, I can’t say.”
Further probing came from the Second Minority Deputy Whip, Ahmed Jerry, who sought specifics regarding which institutions are conducting these recruitments.
The Minister was clear in his reply “Mr. Speaker, I can’t get that for him,” indicating a lack of detailed information at his disposal.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour also questioned the Minister about a letter dated May 10th, 2024, reportedly signed by the Minister for Finance, which allegedly granted clearance to recruit 18,000 teachers.
Dr. Pelpuo responded, “Mr. Speaker, if there was any such clearance, I am not aware, but if there was, it would have expired by now.”
Again, Hon. Ebenezer Teyi Larbi asked whether the Ministry had received complaints from individuals dismissed between 2017 and 2024, and if the Minister could provide figures on the total number dismissed, Dr. Pelpuo was firm but non-specific.
He stated, “Mr. Speaker, I won’t be able to give you the number of people who were dismissed from 2017-2024, but there are complaints and I can confirm that. Huge numbers of people come to say that they too should be restored, and I can provide the evidence at a later time.”
Source: www.kumasimail.com /Kwadwo Owusu
