Ghana’s long-standing practice of retaining retired public officials on contract is facing a significant shake-up following a directive from the Office of the President suspending all such extensions. While the move has stirred debate within the public sector, governance expert Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah sees it as a necessary step that could ultimately benefit the country’s economy by cutting some costs.
During an interview on Citinews’ programme, The Eyewitness, Prof. Agyeman-Duah explained that, while the Constitution requires public servants to retire at 60, there are occasions when retaining certain retirees may be warranted.
“As you know, the Constitution requires all public servants to retire at 60. At the same time, at times, it becomes necessary for the government because of the special needs or qualifications or expertise of certain people due for retirement,” he said.
However, the professor also pointed out that over-reliance on contract extensions has caused issues. “The government may extend or add a few more years for that person to serve the government. But I think, in many ways, that has been abused over the years,” he stated. “There are a lot of young people capable, qualified, and willing to assume leadership responsibilities in the public sector.”
He argued that this practice has inadvertently blocked opportunities for younger, qualified individuals. “By so doing, I think we’ve been blocking the chances for such individuals to assume leadership roles.”
Prof. Agyeman-Duah commended the decision to suspend blanket contract extensions but noted that there are situations where retirees with special skills or knowledge should be considered for continued service. “I know there are instances where it may be necessary to retain someone because of the special skills and knowledge they possess that are crucial at a particular time. But that should be considered as a privilege, not a right.”
He elaborated on the financial burden of maintaining retirees beyond 60. “We must also understand that in some cases, a retiring person may fail to possess certain qualities or skills that perhaps may find it difficult to complete immediately. But we have to make that option always open for the government to exercise that kind of option if we are faced with the situation of a retiring person,” he explained.
Addressing the wider issue of financial sustainability, Prof. Agyeman-Duah acknowledged the strain on Ghana’s public wage bill, suggesting that the financial aspect might be a contributing factor to curtailing contract extensions.
“I believe if you keep people beyond their age, I suspect strongly they are [adding to] the package of remuneration. So, perhaps there’s also a financial angle to be efficient,” he noted.
He also added that political influence in granting these extensions often exacerbates the problem. “Some political authorities have made it look like it’s normal, it’s something they have a right to. No, it’s not.”
As the conversation shifted to whether the practice should be entirely scrapped, Prof. Agyeman-Duah suggested that while a mandatory retirement policy should generally be upheld, exceptions should be made in crucial situations. “There must be room for presidents to make some exemptions,” he noted. “Because it’s not always that you get the person you want for a particular task.”
The professor also proposed that instead of extending contracts indefinitely, those retirees who are needed should be engaged as consultants. “If you are so talented, a retirement at 60 is not accessible to the system, then you can be engaged in a consultancy business to provide that kind of service.”
Prof. Agyeman-Duah further reiterated the importance of proactive succession planning to avoid over-reliance on retirees. “If the public service is well-organized, they should be able to monitor those due for retirement maybe five years ahead. And preparations should be made for new persons, younger people who are also approaching a turn of age category to be also ready for replacing such individuals,” he stated.
