Former vice president Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has taken issue with President John Mahama for removing public servants appointed by the previous government.

In a statement, he called on the President to prioritize job creation instead of laying off workers, saying the decision goes against democratic values and campaign promises.

“The least a party that campaigned on jobs could do under conditions of unemployment is to also innovate and create jobs rather than dismiss people,” he said.

He further described the dismissals as ironic and unjust, arguing that even non-political public servants were being targeted for their perceived affiliations.

“In some of the cases, the only reason for dismissal was that the persons whose livelihoods have been destroyed are known to or related to politicians, as if to suggest that they cannot live independent professional lives, however qualified they are,” he stated.

Dr. Bawumia also raised concerns about what he described as a deteriorating security situation in the country, citing attacks on journalists, military raids on former government officials’ homes, and violent mob actions against state institutions.

“This is rather reminiscent of a military takeover and not a peaceful democratic transition,” he bemoaned.

As tensions rise over the mass dismissals, Dr. Bawumia has urged the President to reconsider the decision and lead in a way that benefits all Ghanaians. He stressed that the nation should not return to old political mistakes.

“There is no reset by repeating or escalating what may have happened in the past,” he stressed.

Calling for the protection of state institutions and constitutional order, he declared, “Ghana can do better. Ghana must do better.”

Meanwhile, New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye has filed a lawsuit challenging the dismissals.