The Transition Team of President-elect John Dramani Mahama has issued a strong warning to public officials against engaging in unauthorised last-minute recruitments, promotions, payments, and transfers under pressure from the outgoing administration.
The caution comes after an agreement reached during the second meeting of the Joint Transition Team on December 13, 2024, stipulating that all such actions must receive prior approval from the team to ensure transparency and orderliness during the transition.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, the Mahama Transition Team accused the outgoing New Patriotic Party (NPP) government of violating this agreement by continuing to make appointments, process financial transactions, and implement other administrative changes. Some of these activities, the statement alleged, have even been backdated to evade scrutiny.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, spokesperson for the Mahama Transition Team, made it clear that all unauthorised actions will be reversed once the formal transfer of power is completed. He stressed that public officials who participate in these activities would face serious consequences under the incoming administration.
“For the avoidance of doubt, all public officials are strongly cautioned to resist pressure from outgoing political actors to engage in these acts as they could attract severe consequences when the new government takes office,” Kwakye Ofosu stated.
He further assured that the incoming administration is committed to ensuring a smooth and transparent transition process that upholds the principles of accountability and good governance.
The transition team highlighted its concerns about the deliberate flouting of the agreed-upon protocols, which were designed to prevent last-minute decisions that could burden or disrupt the incoming government. These actions, the statement noted, undermine the trust and cooperation needed for a seamless handover of power.
The statement urged public officials to act responsibly and adhere strictly to established guidelines, reminding them of their duty to the state rather than to outgoing political actors. “This period of transition is not an opportunity for rushed and irregular decisions. It is a time to safeguard public interest and ensure that the incoming administration takes over in a structured and transparent manner,” Kwakye Ofosu emphasised.
The Mahama Transition Team reiterated its commitment to ensuring a peaceful and orderly transition of power ahead of the formal handover in January 2025. Both the incoming and outgoing administrations are expected to continue their engagements in the coming weeks, with the public keenly observing how the transition unfolds.
The Mahama administration, returning to power after a four-year hiatus, has signalled its intent to rebuild trust in public institutions and uphold the highest standards of governance from the onset of its term.