The Minority in Parliament has condemned the recent dismissal of around 100 Bank of Ghana employees, calling it a breach of the constitution.
The Minority in Parliament has referenced Article 24 of the 1992 Constitution, which affirms every Ghanaian’s right to fair and satisfactory working conditions, and Article 23, which mandates public institutions to operate lawfully and fairly, in support of their stance against the Bank of Ghana’s recent dismissals. They also pointed to Sections 64 and 65 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), which outline acceptable reasons for termination—such as misconduct, incapacity, or redundancy—none of which, they claim, apply in this case. The Bank of Ghana has reportedly terminated the employment of over 100 staff, with dismissal letters stating: “Management regrets to inform you that your appointment cannot be confirmed.”
At a press conference held in Parliament on Tuesday, June 24, the Minority strongly criticized the Bank of Ghana for dismissing over 100 employees, describing the move as illegal and unconstitutional. They argued that if the layoffs were due to redundancy, the Bank was legally obligated to notify the Chief Labour Officer, engage with the affected staff, and provide compensation—none of which was done. “These terminations are not mere administrative oversights; they are deliberate violations of the law,” the Minority stated.
In their full statement, they emphasized that the employees had been lawfully recruited, thoroughly vetted, and were contributing meaningfully to national development. The abrupt mass dismissal, they claimed, 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. The Minority insisted that this directive had no legal standing and condemned the Bank for acting on what they described as a politically motivated instruction, stressing that such actions violate the Constitution, labour laws, and principles of fairness.
1. Failure to Follow Redundancy Procedures
The Minority stated that if redundancy was the reason for the dismissals, the Bank of Ghana was legally required to notify the Chief Labour Officer, consult affected staff, and provide compensation. Since none of these steps were followed, the dismissals constitute intentional legal violations rather than mere administrative mistakes.
2. Misuse of Probation Clause
They criticized the Bank for using probation as a cover for unfair termination. Probation does not allow for arbitrary dismissal—it must be supported by proper performance assessments and communication. Even those on probation are protected under Article 24 of the Constitution and deserve fair treatment.
3. Disregard for Parliamentary Oversight
The Minority expressed concern that the dismissals occurred while a motion for a parliamentary investigation into the matter was still pending. They viewed this as a direct insult to Parliament and a violation of democratic accountability, accusing the Bank of acting with impunity.
4. Human Impact of the Dismissals
The group emphasized that behind the statistics are real people—young professionals, parents, and breadwinners—now facing financial and emotional hardship. They described the situation not just as a legal issue, but a moral crisis affecting families and futures.
5. Their Demands and Call to Action
The Minority outlined a set of firm demands:
Immediate Reinstatement: All dismissed staff must be returned to their positions without delay, as their appointments were lawful.
The Minority stands firmly for the rule of law, for justice, and for the people of Ghana.
We will use every legal, parliamentary, and democratic means available to us to ensure that all affected workers are reinstated, every injustice is addressed, and public institutions are reminded of their duty to serve citizens—not a privileged few.
Message to the Bank of Ghana:
You have violated the law, failed your responsibilities, and damaged public trust. You cannot hide behind authority or secrecy. Ghanaians are watching, and you will be held accountable.
Message to the dismissed workers:
You are not alone. We share in your suffering and stand beside you in this fight. The Minority in Parliament is fully committed to seeing your reinstatement, restoring your dignity, and safeguarding your future.
Message to the people of Ghana:
Let us protect our democracy by demanding transparency, justice, and accountability from those in power.
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Tags:
Bank of Ghana | Minority | Labour Rights | Parliament
