Struggling "Reset" Agenda: Security Staff At Jubilee House And Ministries Unpaid For 18 Months!

Amidst President John Dramani Mahama's "Resetting Ghana" policy falling into disarray, security personnel at the Jubilee House and various ministries have reportedly gone 18 months without pay.

This situation of unpaid salaries has mounted pressure on President Mahama's government, following actions by millions of unemployed youth and grassroots supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), who have taken to the streets to demand jobs, opportunities, and dignity under the current administration.

The demonstrators—who are predominantly grassroots members, NDC supporters, and Ghanaian youth—have decided to protest against the President and the NDC government's failure to deliver on campaign promises.

 Specifically, they are protesting the failure to create sustainable jobs and savings programmes for unemployed youth across the country's 275 administrative constituencies.

They expressed anger at the delays in job, opportunity, and dignity creation under President Dramani's administration, stating: 'Enough is enough! We cannot wait any longer! Our future matters.

According to them, the most frustrating issue was the government's deliberate delay in paying the grassroots supporters and members of the NDC who were hired as security personnel at various government agencies and the Jubilee House.

Some of these security guards, who are currently at their posts working, have not been paid for the past year and a half, despite receiving prior assurances from the government after being selected and recruited.

It has emerged that grassroots supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who work as security personnel at the Jubilee House, various ministries and agencies have gone without pay for a year and six months.

Because they lack permanent employment status, these frustrated workers have not received any monthly allowances, making living difficult for them since they were employed.

This inability to pay has angered well-meaning Ghanaians, who fail to understand why President John Dramani Mahama’s government would spend vast sums of taxpayer money on a national prayer and thanksgiving event while failing to pay security workers who have toiled for over a year.

The security workers currently at post revealed that they have reported their longstanding, unresolved salary payments to the Chief of Staff, Dr Julius Debrah, National Chairman of the NDC, Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah and other topics government officials, but they are yet to receive response.

According to them, they were employed through the recommendation of NDC leadership based on the party's job structure, but to no avail.

Frustrated, they warned that the NDC's failure to support the grassroots and security personnel at various ministries and the Jubilee House is a trend that could push the party into opposition.

Consequently, the government’s refusal to pay workers who provided security services for this extended period amounts to exploitation. 

Information reaching Africa TODAY NEWS newspaper indicates that hundreds of security personnel stationed at the Jubilee House, dressed in black and white attire, are threatening to stage a protest over unpaid salaries.

The visibly distressed personnel have accused the current government, led by President John Dramani Mahama, of failing to release funds to pay their salaries for the past fifteen months.

Their intention to demonstrate comes amid growing frustration, as they claim to have gone over a year without pay despite assurances that resources are available.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, some of the personnel said that nearly sixteen months after their recruitment, the government has yet to take concrete steps to ensure their payment.“We have not been paid for the past fifteen months.

"Is President John Dramani Mahama aware of this situation? Our problems are so severe that some of our wives have left us because we cannot provide for our homes,” one officer said.“We are asking why nothing has been paid after all this time. 

That is why we have decided to stage a ‘red’ demonstration,” they added. 

The personnel pointed out that the Jubilee House, as the seat of government, is a high-security zone guarded by highly trained officers responsible for the safety of the President and other senior officials.

They noted that the security team includes members of the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana National Fire Service, National Security, and other specialized units.

According to them, many of these personnel underwent rigorous training at the Asutuare Training Center and have since been deployed to various security posts across the country. 

A significant number are stationed at the Jubilee House, where they carry out escort duties and other critical responsibilities.

They expressed disappointment that the government’s “Reset Agenda” has not improved their situation.“It is disheartening that we are struggling to feed ourselves and our families despite our service,” one officer said.

Another officer revealed that they feel misled by leadership, having worked diligently for over a year without receiving any salary.

They emphasized that they have financial responsibilities, including caring for their families, paying school fees, and covering rent. Despite meetings with their supervisors, they stated that no meaningful progress has been made.

Many shared how the situation has negatively affected their marriages and family lives. 

Some reported losing loved ones because they could not afford medical bills, while others have had to sell personal belongings, including cars, to survive.

The personnel are now appealing to the government to pay what is rightfully owed to them, warning that they may be forced to protest if the situation is not addressed.

They also questioned whether President Mahama and Chief of Staff Julius Debrah are aware of their plight, noting that attempts to reach some government officials have not yielded results.

They urged the President and senior officials to consider how they would cope without salaries for 15 months.

The personnel expressed hope that urgent action will be taken before the situation escalates further.

Public demonstrations, internal grassroots friction, and group petitions regarding youth unemployment have been documented across multiple administrations in Ghana, involving both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The issues regarding youth job demands, protests, and the political responses surrounding them encompass several key aspects:1

Unemployed Graduates with Disabilities: In August 2026, the Coalition of Unemployed Graduates with Disabilities staged protests and picketed in Accra. 

The group demanded that the government fulfill its promised 5% employment quota for persons with disabilities within public and private sectors, citing systemic exclusion and lack of job placements.

 Friction has risen among some NDC youth groups and "foot soldiers" who campaigned for the party. Localized groups have raised concerns over transparency and fairness in public sector recruitments, alleging that active party workers have faced unexplained disqualifications during security service recruitment processes.

The debate surrounding economic management and job opportunities remains a central battleground between the major parties: