Mahama suspends post-retirement contracts in public service

President John Dramani Mahama has suspended, with immediate effect, the practice of granting post-retirement contract appointments to retired public servants.
The directive, issued in a statement signed by Dr. Callistus Mahama, Executive Secretary to the President, calls for strict adherence from all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as public institutions.
“Kindly take note of this directive and ensure strict compliance,” the statement emphasized.

Aging workforce bloats wage bill
The suspension comes amid growing concern that contract extensions for retirees—some even beyond the age of 65—have significantly bloated the public sector wage bill.
Critics argue that these appointments are depriving younger, unemployed Ghanaians of opportunities within the public service.
The directive is seen as a bold step toward realigning public service hiring practices with the needs of a growing and youthful population eager for job opportunities.

Contract extensions breach legal protocol
According to existing administrative procedures, any request for contract extension must be submitted to the Head of the Civil Service, not the Presidency.
The President’s latest directive is aimed at curbing a worrying trend where some individuals bypass this channel to secure contracts through presidential influence.
Furthermore, under Ghanaian law, persons aged 60 years and above do not ordinarily qualify for contract extensions.
The Constitution provides an exception only in cases where an individual’s services are deemed critically necessary, in which case an extension may be granted up to age 65.

Constitutional violations cited
The directive reaffirms Article 191(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, which states: “A public officer shall, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, retire from the public service on attaining the age of sixty years.”
The President’s suspension seeks to restore respect for this constitutional provision and address the loophole that has allowed retirees—some over 65 years of age—to remain on government payroll.

Youth unemployment at the core
At the heart of the decision is the rising frustration among Ghanaian youth over the lack of employment opportunities in the public sector.
Many see the continued engagement of retirees as a direct barrier to their career prospects.
“It is disheartening to see young people scrambling for jobs while those past retirement age continue to occupy positions that should have been vacated,” a senior official familiar with the matter told this paper.
With this latest move, President Mahama signals his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, public sector efficiency, and constitutional governance.