By Issah Olegor
The implementation of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy Policy has taken a new twist with the controversial posting of 10 veterinary officers—widely believed to be loyal NDC foot soldiers—to the Tema Port, sparking concerns over political patronage and the militarization of a national economic initiative.
According to an official communication dated July 11, 2025, from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), the deployment forms part of efforts to operationalize the 24-hour economy and strengthen veterinary presence at the country’s busiest commercial port.
Background
The 24-Hour Economy is the NDC’s flagship policy aimed at reviving productivity by ensuring continuous public sector operations, especially at critical national infrastructure like ports, borders, and health centres.
It was a central campaign promise during the 2024 general elections and has since become a point of national debate.
The Tema Harbour, a major hub of international trade and customs revenue, has been earmarked as a critical entry point where the policy will be piloted — starting with the veterinary division’s role in inspecting and regulating animal-related imports and exports.
The Officers
The internal memo, signed by Dr. Emmanuel O. Rilegyie-Cudjoe, the Chief Veterinary Officer, lists the following officers who are to report to the Tema Harbour effective Monday, July 28, 2025:
1. Alhassan Fatima Zabsonre – From Pru East (Bono East Region)
2. Bashiru Yamba – From Wassa Amenfi East (Western Region)
3. Benjamin Oppong – From Wassa Amenfi West (Western Region)
4. Ahiable Edem Gustaw – From Ayawaso (Greater Accra Region)
5. Ababire Paulina – From Techiman D.I.F. (Bono East Region)
6. Charles Agbemale Dzidey – From Ejura (Ashanti Region)
7. Richmond Guak – From Prestea-Huni Valley (Western North)
8. George Mba Peligya – From Asutifi South (Ahafo Region)
9. Fongnaa Titus – From Adidome (Volta Region)
10. Benni Bright Mawugah – From Dormaa East (Bono Region)
They range from Assistant Veterinary Technicians (AVTs) to Assistant Animal Health Officers (AAHOs), all stationed in various districts across the country until their recent reassignment.
Political Undertone: Loyalty Over Merit?
While the Ministry’s letter frames the move as a strategic deployment to “bolster border control, animal health inspection, and sanitary measures in response to increased trade volumes,” critics have pointed out that the appointees are not ordinary civil servants.
Multiple party sources and civil service observers claim that most, if not all, of the 10 officers, are known NDC foot soldiers who actively campaigned for the party in the lead-up to the 2024 elections. The there is no regional and ethnic balance.
The posting, therefore, raises questions about whether political loyalty is now a prerequisite for positions within the new 24-hour economy framework — especially in sensitive national installations like the port.
Concerns of Politicization
Already, members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and neutral public servants have raised alarms that the implementation of the 24-hour economy is being used as a veil to reward party loyalists with strategic postings that offer significant influence and financial leverage.
Ministry’s Position
Despite the backlash, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture insists the appointments were based on professional needs.
The memo states that the initiative aims to “strengthen veterinary presence” at ports in line with the government’s new round-the-clock economic agenda.
Regional veterinary officers have been instructed to immediately release the listed personnel to report to Tema Harbour without delay.
The memo has also been copied to key departments, including the Veterinary Services Directorate at the MoFA Headquarters.
