The Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) has reaffirmed its decision to sustain its ongoing strike, which began on February 20, 2025. The strike protests the appointment of Samuel Adom Botchwey as the new Registrar of Births and Deaths.
According to CLOGSAG, the appointment violates civil service regulations due to Adom Botchwey’s strong political background with the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking on the situation, CLOGSAG’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Edmund Acquaye, outlined the association’s concerns, citing breaches in civil service appointment procedures and emphasizing the importance of neutrality in civil service positions.
“That particular position, being the Registrar of Births and Deaths, is a clear-cut civil service position. It is not a political position. That particular registry for birth and death is under the Ministry of Local Government, and for that matter, it makes it a civil service position.”
Mr. Edmund Acquaye CLOGSAG’s Public Relations Officer (PRO)
He reiterated that civil service positions must be occupied by career civil servants, not politicians who may have partisan interests.
“Before meeting the Minister for Labour and Employment, we had already held meetings with National Security, the Chief of Staff, and the government spokesperson, pointing out these issues.’’
Mr. Edmund Acquaye CLOGSAG’s Public Relations Officer (PRO)
According to Acquaye, two days after meeting with the Chief of Staff, the government went ahead with Adom Botchwey’s appointment despite their objections.
“For us, it’s a stab in the back because we had already come to your offices to let you know that these are the issues, when they go on, we will not allow [it].’’
Mr. Edmund Acquaye CLOGSAG’s Public Relations Officer (PRO)
Flawed Justification by Government
The government has defended the appointment, citing constitutional provisions that allow the President to make appointments.
‘’Yes, the President has the power to appoint, but what we are saying—and what the law is saying—is that the President must do this in accordance with the advice of the Civil Service Council and the Local Government Council, in consultation with the Public Services Commission. This was not done.’’
Mr. Edmund Acquaye CLOGSAG’s Public Relations Officer (PRO)
He explained that failure to adhere to these processes constitutes a clear breach of civil service regulations.
CLOGSAG has consistently fought to prevent political interference in civil service positions. The association previously secured a court ruling affirming that civil servants should not engage in partisan politics, and any civil servant who enters politics must resign.
Acquaye pointed out that Adumboche, the appointee in question, is a former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and has openly campaigned for a political party.
CLOGSAG fears that Adom Botchwey’s political background will compromise the neutrality and professionalism expected in the role.
“The public will see his administration as biased. And that is what we are trying to prevent.’’
“If the government does not revoke this appointment, we will still be on strike. We will continue with our nationwide action. We are standing firm on the neutrality, permanency, and anonymity of the civil service.’’
Mr. Edmund Acquaye CLOGSAG’s Public Relations Officer (PRO)
Impact on Governance and National Development
CLOGSAG argued that allowing political appointments in the civil service will disrupt institutional continuity and long-term national planning.
“We are supposed to be the brain of the government. We are the institutional memory of the ministry. A politician cannot come and take over for four or eight years and leave, only for another politician to replace them. That does not lead to national development.”
Mr. Edmund Acquaye CLOGSAG’s Public Relations Officer (PRO)
Shifting focus to the broader governance framework, Acquaye touched on the 2025 budget statement scheduled for presentation. He emphasized that economic policies must address inflation and improve the financial well-being of citizens.
He further criticized the government for being unresponsive to pressing national concerns, including the CLOGSAG protest.
“Already, the government is showing some level of insensitivity to critical issues. If they are not listening to our concerns on appointments, can we trust them to listen to the economic difficulties of citizens?”
Mr. Edmund Acquaye CLOGSAG’s Public Relations Officer (PRO)
CLOGSAG remains unwavering in its demand for the revocation of Samuel Adom Botchwey’s appointment as Registrar of Births and Deaths.
The association insists that the appointment process was flawed and that allowing politicians to occupy civil service positions undermines the core principles of the service. Until their concerns are addressed, the strike will continue, impacting administrative services nationwide.
With the government yet to take concrete action, the standoff between CLOGSAG and the administration persists, raising critical questions about political interference in civil service appointments and governance in Ghana.
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