Some professionals working with private companies at the ports are pleading with President Mahama to absorb them into the public sector as the cancellation of contracts leaves more than 500 people jobless.

“Our experience and expertise are so valuable and it is expensive,” spokesperson for the group, Carl Sowah said on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show.

He will no longer be working with Webb Fontaine, one of the private companies contracted by government to inspect imports and check revenue leakages.

Together with hundreds others, they will be axed after Monday, August 31, 2015.

Government says it will not renew its contract with Destination Inspection Companies (DICs) where some of these professionals have worked for 20 years.

Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority is set to take over the Destination Inspection role at the ports from September, 01.

The Ghana Revenue Authority will now be working with an IT Company, West Blue Consulting which will be offering support services.

But the leader of the collective staff of the five DICs, Carl Sowah, says it will take considerable time for the new company to fully understand ports operations.

He wants government to employ the redundant staff to be “working hand in hand” so the new partnership with West Blue Consulting can be seamless.

 “We are not being prophets of doom” Mr. Sowah maintained but cautioned that proper sensitization and communication it needed should be done.

He recalled that a pilot project that DICs have been implementing at the ports took several years before it proved successful.

Hence, government needs all the experienced hands it can get to ensure that the new revenue mobilization partnership is effective, Mr. Sowah said.

He has been trained in Japan and has several competencies that are peculiar only to Ports and Harbours administration, Carl Sowah said and wondered where else he could work if he is disengaged.

“Consider our unemployment after tommorrow ….we are Ghanaians, we have families depending on us. Look at how best you [President Mahama] can help us” Sarah Senam Apasah who is with Inspection and Control Services also pleaded.

She described the new partnership as "brilliant idea". Nonetheless, she wants the president to "take a second look" at the pending hardship of those to be affected by the decision.

Government’s contract with West Blue Consulting is however being challenged by the opposition. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) says the contract circumvented the law on public procurement.

The Minority accused the President of  breaching provisions outlined in Act 663 of 2003 Procurement law by choosing West Blue with a single letter from the presidency.