Dr. Kwabena Donkor, the Ranking Member on the Employment Committee of Parliament, has criticized the staff of the Finance Ministry for applauding Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta after the 2024 budget reading.

The condemnation from the Pru East MP comes in response to a viral video showing Finance Ministry staff engaging in what appeared to be a praise and worship session to welcome the Finance Minister following the budget presentation in Parliament. The legislator expressed his dismay, deeming the civil servants' actions as 'unfortunate.'

During an interview on Joy FM’s Midday News on Thursday, November 16, Dr. Kwabena Donkor emphasized the need to call the staff to order.

“I call on the Head of the Civil Service to stamp out this behaviour. The Chief Director of the Ministry of Finance must issue a stern warning to such civil servants,” he requested.

According to him, it is inappropriate for civil servants to “adopt partisan positions contrary to their oath of service.”

He added, “Indeed, every civil servant swears an oath and encompassed in the oath is political neutrality so when you have civil servants being reduced to cheerleaders, it is most unfortunate.”

He added that when civil servants tow this line, “they make it extremely impossible for any incoming government to work with them.”

He explained that this is why, since colonial days, the fundamental principle for civil servants has been neutrality.

“We must not countenance this. This partisanship displayed by paid civil servants goes against the state.”