SSNIT shake-up: Osafo-Maafo’s son and 3 deputies sacked

The government has terminated the appointment of Kofi Bosompem Osafo-Maafo as Director-General of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT). Sources close to African Editors have confirmed that the contracts of his three deputies have also been revoked.

The dismissed deputies include Kwame Adu-Darkwa, Deputy Director-General of Finance and Administration; Ms. Juliana Kpedekpo, Deputy Director-General of Operations and Benefits; and Nana Serwah Bonsu Amoako, Deputy Director-General of Investment and Development.

No official replacements have been announced yet, as the President has yet to appoint a new Director-General and deputies.

In April 2024, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo removed Dr. John Ofori Tenkorang as SSNIT’s Director-General, appointing Kofi Bosompem Osafo-Maafo in his place. Osafo-Maafo is the son of Yaw Osafo-Maafo, a former Presidential Advisor in the Akufo-Addo administration.

Following Dr. Ofori Tenkorang’s dismissal, Michael Addo, the Deputy Director-General for Finance and Administration, resigned immediately. Osafo-Maafo’s appointment also led to the reassignment of Pearl Nana Ama Darko, the former Deputy Director-General for Operations and Benefits, to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) as Commissioner for Support Services. She was replaced by Juliana Kpedekpo.

President John Dramani Mahama is expected to announce new appointments for these roles in the coming days.

Chief of Staff orders heads of govt institutions to cancel appointments made after Dec. 7

Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has instructed all heads of government institutions to annul any appointments made by the previous Akufo-Addo administration after December 7, 2024.

This directive was issued in a circular, dated February 10, 2025, and addressed to the heads of all government institutions.

“Following government pronouncements regarding end-of-tenure appointments and recruitments, I would like to inform you that all appointments and recruitments within Ghana’s Public Services made after December 7, 2024, do not align with established good governance practices,” Mr. Debrah stated.

He further directed that, “as such, all Heads of Government Institutions are instructed to take immediate action to annul these appointments or recruitments and submit a detailed report on the actions taken to this office by February 17, 2025.”

He concluded by expressing his appreciation for their cooperation in this matter.

This decision is expected to affect individuals who were appointed to public sector positions following the 2024 general elections. While an official explanation for the nullification has not been provided, sources suggest that it is part of the government’s efforts to ensure fairness and transparency during the public sector transition.