Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has questioned the legal basis of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG)’s demand for the removal of the Registrar of the Births and Deaths Registry, Samuel Adom Botchway.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, he stated that the association had not provided a legal justification for its request.

“For quite some time, CLOGSAG has been engaging the government and insisting that the Registrar of the Births and Deaths Registry should be removed and replaced by a civil servant. However, despite their demands, they have not been able to indicate the legal basis for this position. The government has enormous respect for organized labor, including CLOGSAG, and remains committed to engaging in dialogue to find amicable solutions to any impasse or dispute that may arise,” he noted.

Kwakye Ofosu emphasized the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of Ghanaian workers, citing ongoing negotiations for a new minimum wage and base pay.

"We are also very much committed to enhancing the welfare of Ghanaian workers. Indeed, I have just come from the Minister of Finance, and I am aware that negotiations are ongoing to determine the minimum wage and base pay. This is a testament to the government’s commitment to ensuring that Ghanaian workers have decent working conditions," he stated.

He further explained that the law does not stipulate that the Registrar must be a civil servant.

Instead, it requires that the appointee possess the relevant qualifications, experience, and knowledge in civil registration.

“The government has not questioned the competence of the current Registrar. The only concern raised by CLOGSAG is that he is politically exposed. However, there is no legal requirement that the position be reserved exclusively for civil servants,” he added.

He urged CLOGSAG to reconsider its planned industrial action, stating that unless the law is amended or a court ruling invalidates the appointment process, the government sees no basis for Samuel Botchway’s removal.

“We appreciate that a strike is one of the mechanisms through which labor unions can press their demands. However, in this instance, we do not believe there is sufficient justification for such an action. It would be unfair to the people of Ghana, who pay the wages of all public officials, including members of CLOGSAG, for them to go on strike based on a claim that lacks legal backing,” he said.

Meanwhile, CLOGSAG has called on its members to prepare for a nationwide strike on Thursday, February 20, 2025.

The planned action is in protest against Samuel Botchway’s continued tenure, despite what they claim were government assurances that he would be removed.

In a statement signed by Executive Secretary Isaac Bampoe Addo on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, CLOGSAG reaffirmed its stance, citing Botchway’s participation in a budget hearing at the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization, and Rural Development on Monday, February 17, 2025, as evidence that he remains in office.

According to CLOGSAG, the strike will proceed as scheduled unless their concerns are addressed.

JKB/MA

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