Alhaji Mohammed Kwaku Doku, a Local Governance Expert, has criticized the leadership of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) for initiating what he describes as a needless and illegal strike.
The strike, which commenced on February 20, 2025, was called by CLOGSAG leadership in protest of President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of Samuel Adom Botchway as the Registrar of the Births and Deaths Registry.
According to Alhaji Doku, President Mahama’s appointment of Samuel Adom Botchway was in full accordance with Article 195 of Ghana’s Constitution and Section 2 of the Births and Deaths Registry Act 2020 (Act 1027).
The Act states:
(1) “The Registry shall have a Registrar of Births and Deaths.”
(2) “The President shall, by Article 195 of the Constitution, appoint the Registrar.”
(3) “The President shall, in appointing a person as the Registrar, have regard to the relevant academic qualifications, experience, and knowledge of that person in civil registration.”
The strike action, which has disrupted essential public services across the country, has been met with public backlash and criticism from several discontented CLOGSAG members, igniting a heated debate over its legitimacy and broader implications for governance.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday, March 8, Alhaji Doku, who is also the former Vice President of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA), expressed concerns over the strike, arguing that such actions undermine constructive dialogue between organized labour and the government.
He noted that rather than focusing on politically motivated protests, attention should be directed at addressing more pressing issues affecting civil service staff, such as improving working conditions and enhancing service delivery.
Alhaji Doku further questioned the silence of Mr Bampoe-Addo, the CLOGSAG Executive Secretary, regarding similar appointments made under the Akufo-Addo administration.
He pointed out that Local Government Service staff, who form the bulk of CLOGSAG’s membership, were led by a Head appointed by then-President Nana Akufo-Addo under the same legal framework being applied by President Mahama. He wondered why Mr. Bampoe-Addo had remained silent on such appointments since January 7, 2017.
Citing an example, Alhaji Doku referenced the appointment of Nana Ato Arthur, a former Municipal Chief Executive of Cape Coast, who also served as a former Deputy Central Regional Minister, a former Member of Parliament, and the substantive Central Regional Minister.
Comparing credentials, he questioned, “Between Dr. Ato Arthur, who held multiple political positions, and Mr. Adom Botchway, who only served as a District Chief Executive, who is more politically aligned to head a department of the Local Government Service? Or even the entire Local Government Service?”
Alhaji Doku emphasized that President Mahama had done no wrong in appointing Mr Botchway, who meets all the necessary academic qualifications, experience, and knowledge in civil registration.
He called on the striking workers to return to their posts, warning that their actions were illegal and that their leadership’s decision to call the strike could be deemed criminal.
