THE STAFF of the Ghana AIDS Commission have expressed their outrage following the two-year contract extension granted to Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, the Director General of the Commission.
The extension, approved by outgoing President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on December 15, 2024, has sparked widespread agitation within the institution, with employees citing incompetence, favoritism and poor leadership as key reasons for their opposition.
Dr. Atuahene’s tenure officially ended on December 15, 2024, after six years in office. However, the decision to extend his stay has been met with fierce resistance from staff, who have appealed to President-elect John Dramani Mahama to revoke the appointment and initiate a probe into Dr. Atuahene’s alleged mismanagement and corrupt practices.
Key Allegations Against Dr. Atuahene
The disgruntled staff presented a list of grievances justifying their call for the revocation of the post-retirement extension:
1. Neglect of Staff Welfare and Career Progression:
Since the Commission’s inception in 2002, there has been no implementation of a scheme of service to promote staff to their rightful grades. Many employees have remained in the same positions for over a decade.
While a scheme of service was initiated during the tenure of Dr. Angela El-Adas (appointed by the late President John Evans Atta Mills), it was abandoned after her dismissal under the NPP administration.
2. Favoritism and Nepotism:
Dr. Atuahene is accused of sidelining deserving staff for promotions and appointing family members to key positions. In one instance, a senior staff member was bypassed for a directorship role, which was instead given to a junior employee.
3. Failure to Address Staff Concerns:
Dr. Atuahene has allegedly shown little interest in staff grievances, including the implementation of the long-overdue scheme of service and promotion policies.
The local union’s concerns have been ignored and Public Service Commission regulations have been disregarded.
4. Improper Handling of State Assets:
In a recent move, Dr. Atuahene reportedly sought to auction 10 vehicles, including eight Toyota pickups, a Toyota Land Cruiser, and a Toyota Camry, without obtaining the necessary approvals. This act, according to staff, is in violation of directives from the Office of the President.
Staff Demand Immediate Action:
The employees argue that Dr. Atuahene’s sudden promise to implement the scheme of service – just days after the NPP’s electoral defeat; is insincere and intended to secure his position. They have likened his situation to that of Dr. Angela El-Adas, who was dismissed when the NPP came to power, urging the incoming administration to follow suit.
In a petition addressed to President-elect, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, the staff called for:
●The immediate revocation of Dr. Atuahene’s two-year contract extension.
●A full investigation into his tenure, particularly allegations of nepotism, favoritism and mismanagement.
Protect the Integrity of the Commission.
The aggrieved staff emphasized the need to safeguard the Commission’s reputation by ensuring adherence to proper governance structures and public service regulations. They believe that Dr. Atuahene’s continued leadership would erode the institution’s integrity and hinder its progress.
With the Ghana AIDS Commission’s future leadership hanging in the balance, all eyes are now on President-elect John Dramani Mahama as he prepares to take office. It is in high anticipation that, he will heed the staff’s calls for action.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
