Minority Criticises Government on Dismissals

Mr Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader in Parliament on Wednesday criticised the government for revisiting the infamous "Apollo 568" in the Busia regime by directing some chief executives to proceed on leave without any reason.

"If there were any reasons at all the whole exercise smacks of political vindictiveness," Mr Bagbin told the Ghana News Agency in an interview over the recent spate of dismissals that have affected about 60 top executives of public companies, financial institutions, departments and agencies. He said the "proceed-on-leave" syndrome is tantamount to witch-hunting, which will do the country no good.

Mr Bagbin cited the case of Mr Charles Adjei, Managing Director of the Ghana Water Company Limited, who was asked to proceed on leave by a letter signed by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Kwamena Bartels.

Mr Bagbin said the company is governed by the companies' code and the right authority to have sent him on leave was the board of directors, the appointing body.