Akufo-Addo backs Population Council boss after Board ‘sacked her’
President Akufo-Addo has extended the term of office of the Executive Director of the National Population Council (NPC), Dr. Leticia Appiah.
This was days after the Board chair of the Council, Dr. Gladys Ashitey, ordered Dr. Appiah to hand over to her on Monday, November 16, 2020, over claims her tenure had expired.
The directive sparked anger among some board members and staff of the organization.
A circular from the Board Chair to staff said an acting Executive Director would be appointed in due course.
“Dr. Appiah will officially handover her responsibilities and properties of NPC in her possession to the undersigned by close of work, on Monday, November 16, 2020. An Acting Executive Director will be appointed and communicated to staff in due course.”
The circular further announced that “the planned retreat and other pending activities have been suspended. Staff will be notified on the next steps as soon as practicable”.
The development came on the back of the seeming division within the board of the council after the board chair asked the executive director to proceed on terminal leave.
Some board members and staff of the Council jumped to the defense of Dr. Appiah.
According to the concerned board members, some of their colleagues had through various actions and decisions, made it difficult for the executive director to perform her function of leading the staff of the NPC.
The 23-member board of the Council which was put together in 2019, appeared divided over the November 4, letter asking the executive Director to proceed on terminal leave.
Documents available to Starr News showed that two staff members of the organization – Richard Aroquah and Forster Brehini – openly declared their unwillingness to work with the executive director when she announced them as part of her management team last year. The decision by the staff was reportedly backed by some members of the board.
Some members of the board said the move was part of attempts to get Dr. Appiah removed from office.
Citing an example of the alleged attempts, a board member who spoke to Starr News on condition of anonymity referenced the decision of the board chair, Dr. Gladys Ashiety to testify against the executive director at CHRAJ in an impasse with a staff.