A top government expert slammed civil service union bosses for launching what he called an unnecessary and against-the-law walkout. Local Governance specialist Alhaji Mohammed Kwaku Doku spoke against the Civil and Local Government Staff Association's strike that started on February 20. Workers protested because President John Mahama picked Samuel Adom Botchway to run the Births and Deaths Registry.
Doku explained that Mahama followed all the rules when making this choice. The law clearly states the President can appoint this position under Article 195 of Ghana's Constitution. The exact wording says the President "shall appoint the Registrar" and must consider the person's education, experience, and knowledge of Civil Registration matters.
Many regular people criticized the strike, along with unhappy union members who disagreed with their leaders. Doku shared his thoughts during a Friday talk with the Ghana News Agency. He believes strikes hurt the chances for good talks between workers and government officials. These actions distract everyone from fixing real workplace problems.
The former Local Government Service Council member asked tough questions about why union boss Bampoe-Addo stayed quiet when previous President Akufo-Addo made similar appointments. He pointed out that most union members work under a boss Akufo-Addo picked using the same laws. Doku wondered why this suddenly became an issue under the new administration.
He compared Botchway's background to former appointee Dr. Nana Ato Arthur, who held much bigger political jobs. Doku asked which man seemed more politically connected - Arthur, who served as regional minister and parliament member, or Botchway, who just worked as a district chief? The comparison suggests the union applied double standards to these situations.
Doku stood firm that President Mahama broke no rules by choosing Botchway, who meets all job requirements with proper education and experience. He warned workers to head back to their jobs, or they might face serious consequences later. He reminded everyone that their actions break the law according to their leaders.
Many have asked the union to stop striking and start talking with government officials instead. On March 3, Prince Latif Oyekunle spoke up for unhappy union members. He urged the government not to give into what he described as selfish demands from union leadership. Oyekunle encouraged his fellow workers to ignore strike orders and keep serving the public.
Doku explained that Mahama followed all the rules when making this choice. The law clearly states the President can appoint this position under Article 195 of Ghana's Constitution. The exact wording says the President "shall appoint the Registrar" and must consider the person's education, experience, and knowledge of Civil Registration matters.
Many regular people criticized the strike, along with unhappy union members who disagreed with their leaders. Doku shared his thoughts during a Friday talk with the Ghana News Agency. He believes strikes hurt the chances for good talks between workers and government officials. These actions distract everyone from fixing real workplace problems.
The former Local Government Service Council member asked tough questions about why union boss Bampoe-Addo stayed quiet when previous President Akufo-Addo made similar appointments. He pointed out that most union members work under a boss Akufo-Addo picked using the same laws. Doku wondered why this suddenly became an issue under the new administration.
He compared Botchway's background to former appointee Dr. Nana Ato Arthur, who held much bigger political jobs. Doku asked which man seemed more politically connected - Arthur, who served as regional minister and parliament member, or Botchway, who just worked as a district chief? The comparison suggests the union applied double standards to these situations.
Doku stood firm that President Mahama broke no rules by choosing Botchway, who meets all job requirements with proper education and experience. He warned workers to head back to their jobs, or they might face serious consequences later. He reminded everyone that their actions break the law according to their leaders.
Many have asked the union to stop striking and start talking with government officials instead. On March 3, Prince Latif Oyekunle spoke up for unhappy union members. He urged the government not to give into what he described as selfish demands from union leadership. Oyekunle encouraged his fellow workers to ignore strike orders and keep serving the public.
