Former Madina MP, Alhaji Amadu Bukari Sorogho, has supported President John Dramani Mahama’s directive to end post-retirement contract appointments for retired public servants.

According to a ChannelOne TV post on X, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, Alhaji Sorogho said that the move is timely and necessary to create space for younger professionals within the public sector.

He argued that granting contract extensions to retirees limits opportunities for young professionals and encourages dependency among retirees.

“Chief Director, Head of Department, you are 60-year-olds. The young ones are coming up, so why should you be there at 60 years old? Another year, and then they become teen gods. And because I gave him the extension, he owes his existence to you, and so whatever I want you to do, you do it most of the time. It becomes political,” Alhaji Sorogho indicated.

However, he noted that contract extensions often lead to a culture where retirees feel obligated to their benefactors, and it becomes politicised.

He admonished those currently holding post-retirement positions to step aside and make room for others to grow.

“It is a simple thing to give room for others who can also come up, and then they can create more space down there for the youth to also climb up,” he emphasised.

Alhaji Sorogho stressed the importance of training successors in advance, rather than relying on retirees in technical roles.

“Gone are those days that they say the work is too technical that when they are not there, the work cannot go on. Just train those who are behind you. Know that you are heading towards 60, and when you are 60, you will go. But because some of them know that they will get an extension at the age of 60, they will not even pass on to the one behind them. I think it is a correct policy and that we must always support it and make it work,” he added.

These comments follow President Mahama’s directive issued on April 2, 2025, ordering the immediate suspension of all post-retirement contract appointments across the public service.

The directive, signed by the Executive Secretary to the President, Dr Callistus Mahama, also stated that no new or pending requests for contract extensions would be processed.

MRA/AE

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