By Rebecca Ampah
The Minister of State for Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has assured staff within the Ministry of Information and its agencies that no one will be dismissed following recent government appointments.
Speaking during his vetting before the Appointment Committee, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu addressed growing concerns from employees within the ministry, many of whom fear potential job losses.
“Since the designation was announced, I have been bombarded with concerns and queries from people working within the Ministry of Information ecosystem. Some are harbouring fears that they may be sent home,” he stated. “I wish to use this opportunity to assure all of them and the people of Ghana that no such thing will happen.”
He clarified that civil servants within the ministry will retain their positions, emphasizing that only political appointees will be affected by the transition.
“The staff of the agencies under the ministry, by and large, will be maintained. However, political appointees within that framework will no longer be able to work within the system as we speak,” he explained.
While confirming that no immediate layoffs will take place, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu noted that the government will gradually reduce new recruitments. This, he said, aligns with President Mahama’s vision of a leaner, more efficient workforce within the ministry.
“Over time, there may not be additional recruitment as was the case before, but those who are already employed will remain until retirement. The purpose of this is to create a smaller and more efficient unit because President Mahama believes that all the work the Ministry of Information used to do can be accomplished with a smaller number of people,”he added.
The minister’s statement seeks to allay fears and provide clarity on the government’s restructuring approach, ensuring stability for existing employees while optimizing operations within the ministry.
