Government to implement a redesigned PSR Programme

Accra, Sept.16, GNA - Government is to implement a redesigned Public Sector Reform (PSR) Programme, next January. This follows an overview of the programme the previous administration started six years ago.

The overview involves a six-month road map and re-tooling programme that would be completed by September 30, to form the basis of a comprehensive, coordinated and prioritised programme of reforms. Alhaji Ben Bukari Salifu, Minister of State at the Office of the Senior Minister, who was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday said, contrary to public fears, the exercise that had won the heart of donor partners like the British Department for International Development would not necessarily lead to retrenchment of labour.

"Government would not reject the option of employing more personnel in areas where they are needed."

He said the recent appointments of Chief Directors for the Civil Service was in line with the redesigning process to ensure the engagement of "a well-motivated and performance-oriented corps of 'change agents' for deployment to key, strategic positions within the Service".

Alhaji Salifu said the PSR also aims at making the Controller and Accountant Generals' Department more responsive.

The PSR comprises programmes like National Governance; National Institutional Renewal; Civil Service Improvement, Public Financial Management and Decentralisation.

He said feedback of the PSR programme indicated that it failed to deliver expected results in the area of enhanced service delivery, cost effectiveness and accountability of the Public Service.

"A key factor contributing to the disappointing performance has been the lack of the political will required to move the reform agenda forward."

He, however, said considerable amount of work had been undertaken on the Programme.

The Minister said, the President, Mr John Agyekum Kufuor gave ministerial responsibility for oversight and coordination of the Public Sector and Institutional Reform Agenda to the Senior Minister, Mr Joseph Henry Mensah to give the PSR the needed impetus.

He said a 12-member Advisory Committee, comprising experienced professionals had been set up by the Senior Minister to oversee and guide the work of a technical team in the redesigning and retooling programme.

There is also a nine-member Public Sector Reforms Secretariat. 16 Sept. 03