The staff union of the National Service Authority (NSA) has issued a strongly worded statement condemning recent acts of political aggression allegedly orchestrated by individuals aligned with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Western Region.
According to the union, the incidents represent an attempt to hijack the authority for partisan gain, threatening the institutional independence of a key state agency.
In a press release dated April 11, 2025, signed by Ayirebi Adubofour, Chairman of the National Service Authority Staff Union (NASASU), the union expressed grave concern over what it described as coordinated pressure from NDC-affiliated youth targeting the Acting Director-General of the Authority.
These actions, the union said, are undermining lawful administrative processes and seeking to disrupt transfers and appointments within the service.
The union reminded the public that the NSA operates strictly under the laws of Ghana, including the newly enacted National Service Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1119), the Public Services Commission Act, 1994 (Act 482), and Article 195 of the 1992 Constitution, which clearly delineates the authority’s autonomy in matters of recruitment and internal movement of personnel.
“We want to reiterate that the National Service Authority is not a political playground,” the statement read.
“Transfers and recruitments are executed in accordance with our Scheme of Service and under the oversight of the Public Services Commission.”
The staff union further called on the youth of the Western Region, believed to be the base of the agitation, to exercise restraint and allow the Authority to function according to law.
The union warned that continued political interference could compromise the integrity of the institution and erode public confidence in national service delivery.
This isn’t the first time political interference has been alleged in Ghana’s public service institutions.
Historically, both major political parties – the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the NDC – have faced accusations of politicizing state agencies to reward loyalists or pressure out dissenting figures.
However, this latest development underscores renewed calls for reforms to insulate civil service operations from partisan influence.
“We are calling on the government and all political actors to respect the boundaries of our constitutional order,” the union urged, adding that political parties must stop treating the NSA as a platform for job-for-the-boys strategies.
Internal tensions began to surface shortly after the appointment of the current Acting Director-General, whose leadership has reportedly been met with opposition by some local political activists in the region.
Sources suggest that recent staff reshuffles and appointments – believed to have been merit-based – were met with resistance by party operatives seeking positions for their preferred candidates.
The union emphasized that the Authority’s management must remain firm and committed to its legal mandate, and urged them not to bow to political pressure.
“We expect management to act in a manner that protects the authority’s integrity and shields it from external manipulation,” the statement concluded.
NASASU’s leadership, including Vice Chairpersons Randy Martey Mamah and Lady Alberta Boakye Yeboah, along with Youth Representative Bismark Mensah Asamoah, all endorsed the statement, signaling a united front among staff members in defense of professional standards and institutional autonomy.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
