The National Labour Commission (NLC) has upheld the decision of former Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Professor Ken Attafuah, regarding the dismissal of Martin Akowuah, a former employee of the authority.

The ruling, delivered on March 14, affirmed that Mr. Akowuah’s termination in 2023 was justified, as it was based on his unauthorized adjustment of working hours at the NIA’s Madina district office without official approval.

Following his dismissal, Mr. Akowuah petitioned the NLC, seeking a reversal of the decision. However, after a thorough review, the Commission concluded that Professor Attafuah’s actions were in line with the Human Resource Management Policy Framework and Manual for the Ghana Public Service, as well as the NIA’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) on registration.

“It is the decision of the Commission that the decision of the Respondent to dismiss the Complainant was in line with the Human Resource Management Policy Framework and Manual for the Ghana Public Service and NIA's SOP on registration, for the unlawful, unilateral and irregular alteration of the working hours of NIA without the due authorization and approval of NIA,” the ruling stated.

Reacting to the verdict, Professor Attafuah reiterated his commitment to fairness in employee management.

“Mr. Martin Akowuah’s allegations that I treated him unfairly run contrary to my nature, and to everything I stand for, and to everything I have done as a human rights advocate here and abroad. I believe I’m fair to a fault, using my training as a lawyer to serve humanity with integrity and to advance good governance in good conscience,” he stated in a media interview.

He also highlighted the challenges of institutional leadership in Ghana, citing misinformation and political interference as major obstacles.

“Unfortunately, providing effective institutional leadership is a particularly difficult and challenging enterprise in our part of the world where excessive politicization and personalization of issues, unbridled propaganda and misuse of social and mainstream media often blur clarity, confound the public, suppress the truth, and destroy decent champions of discipline and sound public ethics. Thankfully, as in this case, truth stands, eventually!” he added.

The ruling by the NLC brings closure to the dispute, reinforcing the authority’s internal policies on staff conduct and operational procedures.

Letter-NLC Ruling Akowuah Vs NIA March 2025Download