CLOGSAG calls for nullification of Presidential Office Act

CLOGSAG calls for the annulment of the Office of the Presidency Act

The Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG) has called on the Government to take immediate steps to repeal the Office of the President Act 1993, (Act 463) to reduce the number of appointments the president can make.

According to the Association, the Act, in its current form, gives the President unlimited power to appoint all categories of Presidential Staff without recourse to the financial situation of the country.

Dr. Isaac Bampoe Addo, Executive Secretary, CLOGSAG, made the call at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday.

Article 195(1) of the Constitution states that: “Subject to the provisions of the Constitution, the authority to appoint people to hold or act in positions in the public service rests with the President, acting on the advice of the governing council if the service is provided in consultation with the Service Commission General.

Dr. Addo said, over the years, CLOGSAG has “observed and noted with dismay” the abuse of Executive powers in the appointment of many presidential staff and special assistants to carry out the work of public servants.

That, he said, had damaged the credibility of the Public Service and undermined its relevance.

“This situation has led to the development of the takeover of Public Service projects by the political apparatus and its cohorts. This clandestine action by the political elite, if left unchecked will destroy the meaning and base of support of our architecture and governance system.

Dr. Addo said that the Presidential Office Act is “illegal” and is only a channel to use “party apparatus” and “boys” who only destroy the work of Civil Servants.

He pointed out that the Act duplicates the work of appointed authorities in the Civil Service and Local Government Councils, describing it as “a bad law used by the Executive for his own benefit.”

Dr. Addo said Article 190 of the 1992 Constitution, defines the Public Service of Ghana, prescribes how it should be organized and staffed, adding that the Civil Services Act 1993, (PNDCL 327), also stipulated that the purpose of the Civil Service is to help the government to formulate and implement policies for development national.

Therefore, he called on the Public Service Commission to implement the Constitutional Instrument to manage public services, including the Office of the President.

Dr. Addo explained that the country would benefit greatly if the Act was repealed immediately.

“Currently, Ghana is experiencing certain economic problems that can be caused by these practices. These problems and challenges can be easily and easily prevented if the process and recognition of the constitution is followed,” he said.

He warned that the Association will take several industrial actions including demonstrations if the Act is not repealed in the shortest possible time.

Source: GNA

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