By Ashiadey Dotse
Former Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, Andy Appiah-Kubi, has stressed that any public servant who wishes to continue working after turning 60 must follow the law and provide valid reasons for an extension.
Speaking on TV3’s The Key Points program on Saturday, April 12, 2025, Mr. Appiah-Kubi said the law is clear, public servants are to retire at age 60. However, he acknowledged that in some cases, a person may be needed beyond that age, but the right legal process must be followed.
“There is no need to debate this. The law is clear. When you turn 60, you must retire. If there’s a need for someone to stay, we must see proper justification and follow the due process,” he said.
Thomas Musah Tanko, General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), also joined the discussion. He proposed that retired professionals who are still needed can either be given a two-year contract extension or be engaged as consultants. He noted this would help transfer important knowledge and skills, as there is often a lack of proper succession planning in the civil service.
“We are not against the retirement age of 60. But we must discuss how to implement this policy without creating challenges. There must be continuity, and institutional memory must not be lost,” Musah added.
Labour expert Austin Gamey supported the suspension of contract extensions for retirees. He believes the system has been abused and is preventing young people from getting job opportunities.
“We need to train and empower young people to take over from the older generation. The contract system has been abused and must stop,” he stated.
These comments come after President John Dramani Mahama ordered the suspension of contract extensions for retirees in the public sector. Some labour unions have raised concerns about the sudden nature of the directive, urging the government to consult further before fully enforcing the policy.
Under Ghana’s Labour Act 651 (2003), public sector workers must retire at 60, while those in mining retire at 55. Despite this, many have remained in service through contract extensions. With over 700,000 workers in the public service and more than 1,000 retiring each year, the new directive could significantly impact the workforce.
Organised labour has called for further discussions to ensure a smooth transition and protect the valuable experience of older workers while still creating space for the youth.
