Civil Servants declare position

Accra, Aug. 19, GNA - The Civil Servants Association would co-operate with any political party that emerged the winner after the December election, Mr James Ekow Amissah, Acting Executive Secretary of the Association declared.

He said such co-operation had helped to bring Ghana to this level but added that the country would have excelled more if the civil servant was well resourced to deliver his duties.

Mr Amissah, who made the declaration in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Monday in Accra, said members still worked with obsolete equipment and faced budgetary constraints which affected their service delivery.

He said people worked under unfavourable conditions such that some offices lacked a "common electric bulb" to illuminate the rooms. Mr Amissah said inadequate training especially in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) coupled with accommodation problems hinder the performance of civil servants.

He said any government who recognized the civil servant's role in the total development of the nation by improving working conditions and remuneration would build a vibrant Civil Service.

Mr Amissah expressed regret that in the midst of these difficulties the 40 Ghana Cedis vehicle maintenance allowance was taxable irrespective of the high cost of living.

He advocated the introduction of a transport system that would convey workers from home or a rallying point to the office and back.

Mr Amissah said the absence of such a system had contributed to people not reporting on time.

He said it would be a morale booster if the system was introduced, adding "I hope something would be done about the plight of members".