Accra: Alhaji Mohammed Kwaku Doku, a prominent Local Governance Expert, has openly criticized the leadership of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) for initiating what he terms as a needless and illegal strike. The strike, which began on February 20, 2025, was called by CLOGSAG’s leadership in opposition to President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of Mr. Samuel Adom Botchway as the Registrar of the Births and Deaths Registry.
According to Ghana News Agency, Alhaji Doku asserts that President Mahama’s appointment of Mr. Samuel Adom Botchway was in strict compliance with Article 195 of Ghana’s Constitution and Section 2 of the Births and Deaths Registry Act 2020 (Act 1027). The Act specifies that the Registry should have a Registrar of Births and Deaths and mandates the President to appoint the Registrar, considering relevant academic qualifications, experience, and knowledge in Civil Registration.
The strike, aimed at disrupting essential public services nationwide, has faced public backlash and criticism from several discontented CLOGSAG members, sparking a debate about its legitimacy and broader governance implications. Alhaji Doku, who also served as the former Vice President of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA), shared his concerns during an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra.
He expressed that such strike actions undermine the principles of constructive dialogue that should prevail between organized labor and the government. Additionally, it distracts from more critical issues affecting civil service staff, such as improving working conditions and enhancing service delivery.
The former Member of the Local Government Service Council questioned Mr. Bampoe-Addo’s silence during similar appointments made under the previous Akufo-Addo administration. He pointed out that Local Government Service Staff, mainly comprising CLOGSAG’s membership, were led by a Head appointed by then-President Nana Akufo-Addo, under the same laws President Mahama is applying now, yet Mr. Bampoe-Addo has remained silent since January 7, 2017.
Citing the appointment of Dr. Nana Ato Arthur, a former Municipal Chief Executive of Cape Coast, Alhaji Doku questioned, “between Dr. Ato Arthur, who also served as a former Deputy Central Regional Minister, a former Member of Parliament, and the former substantive Central Regional Minister, and Mr. Adom Botchway, who only served as District Chief Executive, who is more Politically coloured to Head a Department of the Local Government Service? Or a Head of the whole Local Government Service?”
Alhaji Doku reiterated that President Mahama’s appointment of Mr. Botchway was justified, as he meets the necessary academic qualifications, experience, and knowledge in civil registrations. He advised the striking staff to return to work or face consequences soon, labeling their actions illegal and their leadership’s calls as criminal.
His comments come amid growing calls for CLOGSAG to reconsider its stance and resume negotiations with the government. On March 3, 2025, Mr. Prince Latif Oyekunle, Public Relations Officer for dissatisfied CLOGSAG members, urged the government to resist CLOGSAG’s demands, describing them as “self-serving.” He encouraged association members to disregard the strike directive and return to work to ensure the smooth operation of public services.