NDC transition team raises concerns over last-minute recruitments and an ECG-linked entity payments

Felix Kwakye Ofosu, spokesperson for the incoming government’s transition team, has raised serious concerns following the team’s initial meeting. Among the key issues discussed were last-minute recruitments and a GH₵240 million payment to an entity connected to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

Kwakye Ofosu described these developments as potentially harmful to the financial stability of the incoming administration. “There were a few issues that came up that generated some discussions. Amongst them was the worrying issue of last-minute recruitments and payments in some ministries, departments, and agencies,” he noted.

He specifically highlighted the payment to the ECG-linked entity, questioning its timing and the lack of thorough consultation. The transition team has requested that the transaction be put on hold for further scrutiny.

“We have picked up information and indeed we’ve seen documentation relating to efforts to pay over GH₵240 million to an entity that is supposed to have done some business with the ECG. Now, if it was being paid to IPPs to keep the power on, one perhaps would not have an issue, but it is being paid to an entity whose work in my view is not as critical as IPPs,” he explained.

The former Deputy Information Minister emphasized the importance of good governance in enabling the incoming government to make sound financial decisions. “Good governance requires that the incoming government is given the opportunity to make these decisions,” he stated, adding that the payment’s magnitude and timing could burden the already strained public purse.

Kwakye Ofosu also expressed concern over the financial implications of last-minute recruitments, urging broader consultations to address these matters. “The timing of the recruitment would have severe fiscal implications on the incoming government,” he said.

He disclosed that the outgoing government’s representatives agreed to suspend the GH₵240 million payment pending further discussions, with the next transition team meeting scheduled for Friday.

“We raised strong objections to these maneuvers and requested that they be put on hold. The government side agreed to this, and we will forcefully insist that this is a dangerous precedent,” he concluded.