The Ministry of Labor, typically the arbiter of labor disputes and employment standards, finds itself under investigation for alleged wrongful dismissals.
The Civil Service Agency (CSA) launched a full trial in response to complaints from four former Ministry employees who claim they were unjustly terminated.
The current head of the Ministry, Cllr. Cooper Kruah, a significant political ally of the “Rescue Mission” administration, is at the center of this controversy.
The dismissed employees filed a complaint, prompting the CSA to summon Kruah or his legal representative to a conference on July 9, 2024, to seek resolution. However, Kruah did not attend the meeting, instead delegating his Human Resource Director, Mehfel Dehkpah, who was responsible for signing the dismissal letters.
Sources indicate that Dehkpah, who is not a civil servant, is part of a group of fourteen senior managers at the Labor Ministry, all hailing from the same ethnic group.
During the conference, Dehkpah was unable to provide documented findings to support the allegations against the dismissed employees. He merely asserted verbally that the employees were dismissed for conduct unbecoming of public servants.
When questioned, Dehkpah acknowledged that the dismissed employees had been authorized by Labor Inspector Charles Brown and Acting Deputy Minister for Planning and Manpower Development Emmanuel Barnes to perform their duties. Despite this, he maintained that only inspectors are authorized to conduct inspections.
Contradicting Dehkpah’s claims, documents dated June 27, 2024, revealed that the Ministry had instructed three officials, including a research officer, to conduct an inspection at Fouta Incorporated for alleged labor violations.
This contradicts Dehkpah’s assertion that only inspectors can conduct such investigations.
Additionally, another document dated June 10, 2024, showed that an inspection was ordered by Deputy Minister for Administration Othello P. Mansuo, further undermining Dehkpah’s claim that only the Minister proper could authorize inspections.
These inconsistencies have led the dismissed employees to question the credibility and integrity of the Ministry’s management. “We maintain that the Ministry wrongfully dismissed us and needs to rectify the situation. We trust the CSA and are confident that we will prevail in this case,” they reiterated.
The dismissed employees have also raised concerns about alleged tribalism and nepotism within the Ministry.
They claim that seven presidential appointees and fourteen senior managers all hail from the same ethnic group and county.
This includes Minister Cooper W. Kruah, several deputies, assistants, and directors, highlighting a pattern of favoritism that the employees argue is unfair and requires urgent attention.
The list of names provided by the aggrieved employees includes prominent figures such as Deputy Minister for Administration Othello Mansuo, Assistant Minister for Alien Affairs Raphael Donokolo, and Human Resource Director Mehfel Dehkpah, among others.
They also point to specific instances of nepotism, such as the appointment of Daybah Johnson, daughter of a political figure, to a senior role.
In light of these allegations, it remains uncertain whether the CSA will also call upon Acting Deputy Minister for Planning and Manpower Development Emmanuel Barnes and Labor Inspector Charles Brown to testify.
The dismissed employees are urging the CSA to personally summon Minister Kruah to participate in the proceedings.
As the CSA’s grievance committee presided over the initial conference, the official date for the first full trial is yet to be announced.
The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for the Ministry of Labor and its leadership, potentially leading to reforms in its hiring and dismissal practices.
The unfolding saga underscores the critical need for transparency and accountability within government institutions, particularly those entrusted with upholding labor rights and standards.
As the trial progresses, all eyes will be on the CSA and the Ministry of Labor, awaiting a resolution that upholds justice and fairness for all parties involved.
