A leading Ghanaian academic has welcomed President John Dramani Mahama’s recent directive suspending all post-retirement contract extensions for public service staff.
Prof. Baffour Agyeman-Duah, co-founder of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), described the move as a bold and necessary step towards creating opportunities for younger professionals and tackling redundancy within public institutions.
In an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News, Prof. Agyeman-Duah said, “The president’s decision to ban or curtail that kind of sanction is a good move.”
However, he cautioned that a blanket announcement might not be the most effective approach, suggesting that a case-by-case evaluation would have been preferable.
“I think perhaps the president is being overwhelmed by the number of requests coming from all angles,” Prof. Agyeman-Duah observed.
“The right decision is to issue that blank statement.” He acknowledged that while the directive has merit, a one-size-fits-all approach might overlook exceptional cases and complicate leadership transitions within the public service.
The presidential directive, signed by Secretary to the President Dr. Callistus Mahama on April 2, 2025, stated that all current and future requests for contract extensions involving retired personnel will no longer be considered.
Prof. Agyeman-Duah’s comments highlight the ongoing debate about the role of experience and fresh perspectives in Ghana’s public institutions.