'It’s not punitive' - Labor expert breaks down real essence of employee transfers

Labour consultant, Austin Gamey, has stressed that staff transfers in both Ghana’s public and private sectors are primarily designed as strategic tools for capacity building, prevention of corruption, and efficient deployment of human resources rather than as punitive measures.

According to a report by asaaseradio.com on May 7, 2026, he explained that well-structured transfer systems are an essential component of human resource management, helping organisations expose workers to diverse roles and environments to strengthen their competence and versatility.

“Transfer is not intended as punishment at all,” Gamey stated.

He added that the practice is rooted in the need to optimise institutional performance and improve service delivery.

Transfers are not meant to punish workers - GES boss

He noted that under the Labour Law, employers retain the authority to deploy staff where their skills are most needed, and employees are generally expected to comply with posting decisions.

In his view, this flexibility supports operational efficiency, particularly in large institutions where staffing needs frequent shifts.

Gamey further emphasised that transfers play a critical governance role in sensitive sectors such as the military and police service, where regular redeployment helps reduce familiarity, limit opportunities for misconduct, and curb entrenched corruption networks.

He explained that when properly implemented, transfer policies ensure that personnel remain professionally alert and adaptable while also preventing the development of unhealthy long-term associations that could compromise institutional integrity.

While acknowledging that abuses can occur in isolated cases often driven by individuals in positions of authority, he maintained that existing human resource frameworks, labour laws, and union structures provide mechanisms for redress.

“The system has safeguards; the issue is awareness and proper application,” he said.

MRA/VPO

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