Former NEIP boss denies allegations of illegalities in staff suspension -

Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, Former Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), has refuted allegations of any wrongdoing regarding the recruitment of certain staff members, who the new acting CEO has temporarily suspended.

Mr. Ofosu Nkansah stated that there were existing gaps within the institution, specifically highlighting the Human Resource department and a non-existing procurement department, which he claimed hindered the institution’s eligibility for World Bank programs and its ability to secure funding.

He further explained that, to address and resolve these challenges, the management decided to employ temporary staff to fill the existing gaps, ensuring the institution’s efficiency in carrying out its duties.

The former appointee of Akufo-Addo clarified that the temporary staff were placed on allowances rather than the salary payroll due to the nature of their employment.

He justified this decision by asserting that the payment of allowances is not prohibited under the country’s laws. Additionally, he emphasised that all necessary staff emoluments were duly paid in compliance with legal provisions.

“On the NEIP HR issues, nothing illegal was done. When I took over, there were HR gaps we had to fill to qualify us for our World Bank Programmes because there wasn’t even a Procurement Unit. So, we filled those gaps with temporary staff and put them on allowances. Allowances are not illegal. You don’t pay SSNIT on allowances. You only pay PAYE and it was done,” he said in a Facebook post on February 23, 2025.

His response comes on the back of the indefinite suspension of all staff of the National Entrepreneurship & Innovation Programme (ΝΕΙΡ).

The decision by management, as outlined in a letter that has since gone viral, is due to the complexity and legal implications surrounding the employment status of existing staff.

Management explained that these challenges prevent them from utilizing operational funds to pay monthly staff allowances.

As a result, all employees have been instructed not to report to work beyond February 24, 2025.

NEIP assured that once these employment issues are fully resolved, management may invite specific staff members whose services are deemed essential to resume work.