Former Chairman of Parliament’s Roads and Transport Committee has described as worrying, the dismissal of veteran workers at various government transport agencies saying it is making the country lose experienced hands. 

Theophilus Tetteh Chaie says this is also making the state lose money needlessly and must be stopped.

He cites the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and Ghana Maritime Authority as institutions where experienced managers have been sacked to make way for political appointees, a situation he describes as “wrong.”

The former Member of Parliament for Ablekuma Central is particularly worried that the Public Services Commission, the entity with the authority to oversee such appointments is being ignored by the presidency when making such appointments

“These are people who have been appointed through a structure. So if the government wants to change them, they should go through the Public Services Commission structure…but that is not what we are seeing with this government,” he told Joy News.

Mr. Chaie is particularly worried about the replacement of middle-level management officials and technocrats at some of the agencies which he says does not augur well for the country. 

Already, Richard Anamoo has been replaced by Paul Asare Ansah as Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) after power changed hands following a presidential directive. 

Within the GPHA’s structure, two of the highest ranking positions after the Director General are the Director in-charge of Tema Port and the Director in-charge of Takoradi Port.

Per the GPHA Law (1986), all officials above are supposed to be appointed by the GPHA council.

A letter has since been making rounds purportedly signed by the president and dated 28th March 2017, appointing legal practitioner Edward Osei as new Director of the Tema Port, a situation that has left the fate of current director Jacob Adorkorin limbo. 

Mr. Tetteh Chaie says this is inappropriate. “What is happening in the transport sector is a worry…At these institutions, these persons are appointed directors because they are technocrats and they have institutional memory.

"Most of the political appointees rely on the expertise of these technocrats. So why sack them?” he quizzed.

According to Mr. Chaie, the situation is causing huge economic losses to the country because persons who are dismissed are paid their full entitlements till their contract durations are over, even as they sit home for the rest of the period.

He describes this as bad governance which is going to negatively affect the finances of the country. 

“Are we returning to the dark days? For me, it is a waste of national resources…Those leaving are paid their entitlements for the duration left on their contract…I think it is not rights. There is something wrong with this administration…Is that how we create employment?” he quizzed. 

The former legislature is rallying players in the transport industry, civil society groups and Ghanaians at large to join forces and demand an end to such acts of dismissal. 

“The earlier we all come together to condemn such acts, the better for the country,” he said.