By Patrick Ofoe Nudzi, GNA
Accra, May 2, GNA – Ghana’s public sector reforms are set to receive a major boost through improved ICT infrastructure, enhanced coordination, and strengthened skilled labour to improve service delivery, accountability, and transparency.
Madam Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, Minister of State for Public Sector Reforms, said the framework for the National Public Sector Reform Strategy (NPSRS) II would prioritise digital transformation, including strengthening ICT systems and implementing gender-responsive reforms.
She said this at a National Consultation organised by the Public Sector Reform Secretariat to finalise an inclusive policy document for Cabinet approval.
Madam Akanvariba explained that the strategy sought to move beyond fragmented initiatives to establish a coordinated “one-stop shop” for government services, invest in national fibre backbone infrastructure, and make digital record-keeping central to the reform agenda.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, she noted that the reforms would incorporate a comprehensive gender strategy, particularly within Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), to improve women’s access to ICT tools and services.
The Minister also highlighted concerns about the placement of skilled personnel, saying although the public sector had a qualified workforce, many were not positioned effectively to maximise productivity.
She further called for a review of the practice where public servants exit office with changes in political administration under the Presidential (Transition) Act, 2012 (Act 845), stressing the need to protect technocrats from political interference.
“Most of the people working in the public sector are technocrats, and politicians should not intrude in their work. We must also review our hiring and firing processes as part of the reform discussions,” she said.
Madam Akanvariba assured that once Cabinet approved the final document, government would mobilise the necessary resources to support its implementation despite current huge fiscal responsibilities.
Mr Joseph Abbey, Director of Policy, Planning, Budget, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ministry for Public Sector Reforms, said the NPSRS II builds on the first phase, which was supported by the World Bank and led to the retooling of 13 institutions, including the Births and Deaths Registry, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), and the Passport Office.
He said the new strategy would operate under seven pillars, adding sustainable funding to the six pillars of the previous phase.
Mr Abbey noted that the focus of the NPSRS II would be to scale up institutional capacity by equipping public sector organisations with advanced digital infrastructure to deliver faster and more efficient services to citizens and the private sector.
He said the six pillars of the first phase included a citizen- and private sector-oriented public service, a capable and disciplined workforce, a strengthened regulatory framework, improved working conditions, enhanced local governance systems, and digitised public sector services.
GNA
Kenneth Odeng Adade
By Patrick Ofoe Nudzi