The Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) is demanding the immediate withdrawal of the appointment of the Head of the Births and Deaths Registry, Henrietta Lamptey.
CLOGSAG, in a letter dated January 20, 2022, signed by its Executive Secretary, Mr. Isaac Bampoe Addo, addressed to the Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, said the appointment process was at variance with normal practice.
Speaking at a news conference, on Wednesday, Mr. Bampoe Addo added that Mrs. Henrietta Lamptey’s appointment is unlawful and in breach of the Civil Service Act.
He also decried “the hurried manner in which Madam Henrietta Lamptey was introduced by the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development to the staff of the Registry before the deadline for the handing over, the unlawful appointment of a non-civil servant to replace a civil servant who was acting as Registrar, as well as the improper instruction from the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development to the acting Registrar to prepare a handing over notes to be handed over to Henrietta Lamptey within 10 days.
Mr. Bampoe Addo alleged that, “Madam Henrietta Lamptey was a Personal Assistant to the immediate past Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama, and currently Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States of America,” and that her appointment was inappropriate because “she has overtly shown her political colours and cannot be part of the Civil Service.”
He explained that for this reason, CLOGSAG “hereby resolve that the political appointment of the Registrar of Birth and Death should be reserved.”
Mr. Bamfoe Addo also described as unwarranted and regrettable the “stance of the Secretary to the President that the current Registry is not part of the Civil Service or the Local Government Service.”
Mrs. Henrietta Lamptey, a Research and Development practitioner, was appointed by President Akufo-Addo as the Registrar of the Birth and Deaths Registry in January, 2022.
Prior to her appointment, Mrs. Lamptey worked with the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) and ActionAid Ghana, a Non-Governmental Organisation.
Her appointment was in accordance with Article 195 of the 1992 Constitution, and Section two of Registration of Birth and Death Act, 2020 (Act 1027), which requires that the President appoints a Registrar of Births and Deaths.
As part of her function, the Registrar would be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the affairs of the Registry and shall keep and maintain the national register of births, foetal deaths and deaths.
Source: JoyOnline