Fatima Abubakar, Spokesperson for the Government’s Transition Team and Minister for Information, has denied that an agreement has been reached to freeze recruiting processes during the transition time.
Her comments come after President-elect John Dramani Mahama’s Transition Team threatened to rescind what they called “last-minute recruitments” undertaken by the departing administration.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Tuesday, December 17th, Fatima Abubakar stressed that the Transition Team’s efforts do not halt government activity.
“The fact is that the transition team’s activity does not impose an embargo on government operations and does not undermine the authority of the legitimate government, which will expire at midnight on January 7. She stated that there was no agreement from the administration to suspend recruitment or payments.
She also stated that the duties of major government organizations, such as the Finance Ministry and the Controller and Accountant-General, will stay unchanged during the transition.
“The [Transition Team] does not replace the mandate of the Finance Minister to spend, nor does it replace the mandate of the Controller and Accountant General to pay,” Fatima stated, emphasizing the present administration’s power.
Fatima Abubakar addressed concerns about recent recruiting, stating that no new warrants for recruitment had been issued after the election.
“No warrants for recruitment have been issued since the election. The Interior Ministry and the Health Ministry have already issued public announcements directing nurses to the platform to begin their recruitment processes,” she stated.
Her words aim to alleviate concerns about irregularities and reaffirm the government’s legitimacy during the transition period.