The National Executive Council of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG) will convene on Saturday, February 22, to assess its ongoing strike and determine the next course of action.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency on Thursday, CLOGSAG’s Executive Secretary, Isaac Bampoe Addo, reaffirmed that until a new directive is issued, all members should continue to comply with the strike.

CLOGSAG initiated the nationwide industrial action on Thursday in protest against the continued tenure of Samuel Adom Botchway as head of the Births and Deaths Registry, despite the government’s previous commitment to replace him.

• Read also: CLOGSAG declares nationwide strike over appointment of Samuel Adom Botchway as Births & Deaths Registrar

The association cited Mr Botchway’s participation in a budget hearing at the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs on February 17, as proof that he remained in office, contrary to expectations.

A statement signed by Mr Addo reiterated that the strike would persist unless their concerns were addressed.

CLOGSAG maintained that appointing politically affiliated individuals to the Civil Service violates the neutrality principle outlined in the Constitution and reaffirmed by a 2017 Supreme Court ruling.

"Civil servants must not involve themselves in partisan politics. Likewise, politicians must not incorporate civil servants in positions or posts.”  

The association insisted that Mr Botchway, a known National Democratic Congress (NDC) activist, is ineligible for the role.

It has vowed to sustain its “neutrality project” to prevent political interference in the Civil Service.

Meanwhile, the government has urged CLOGSAG to reconsider its stance and call off the strike.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, defended the appointment.

He stated: “We believe that the President has acted correctly in the appointment of Mr Adom Botchway, so we would appeal to CLOGSAG to rescind its decision to go on strike.”