In a significant development at the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), President John Dramani Mahama has terminated the appointment of Kofi Bosompem Osafo-Maafo as the Director-General.
This decision comes amid mounting concerns over Mr. Osafo-Maafo’s management of the institution, particularly regarding the contentious sale of SSNIT-owned hotels.
Kofi Bosompem Osafo-Maafo, son of NPP stalwart Yaw Osafo-Maafo, was appointed on April 10, 2024, during the tenure of the erstwhile Akufo-Addo administration.
The Forum for Accountability and Justice (FAAJ), a social justice advocacy group, had recently called for Mr. Osafo-Maafo’s dismissal.
They criticised his handling of the sale of SSNIT hotels to former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Abetifi.
FAAJ accused Mr. Osafo-Maafo of disregarding ongoing investigations by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) into the sale, which has faced opposition from various stakeholders, including organised labour.
In their statement, FAAJ emphasised that Mr. Osafo-Maafo had shown blatant disregard for the CHRAJ investigations.
They alleged that he was expediting the sale of the hotels despite the controversies surrounding the process.
The group urged the president to remove him from his position to maintain public trust and uphold accountability within SSNIT.
The dismissal of Mr. Osafo-Maafo underscores the government’s commitment to addressing concerns related to transparency and accountability within SSNIT.
It also highlights the influence of civil society organisations in advocating for good governance and ethical leadership in public institutions.
As SSNIT undergoes this leadership transition, stakeholders and the public will be keenly observing the institution’s next steps to ensure that it continues to serve the best interests of its contributors and maintains its integrity.