Accra, Sept. 9, GNA - An eight-member Civil Service Council was inaugurated on Wednesday with a call on members to bring their expertise to bear on reforms necessary to transform the service to a modern and disciplined one.

Alhaji Seidu Amadu, Minister of State at the Office of the President, who made the appeal said it was time to critically examine the work processes and practices in the Civil Service with a view to simplifying them to enhance service delivery. The eight-member council is chaired by Dr Robert Dodoo. Other members are Mr Joe D. Issachar, Justice E.D. Adjabeng, Mrs Margaret Dela Kutsoati, Mrs Rosetta Annan, Mrs Milly Quansah, Mrs Isaac Asiamah and Mr Isaac Bampoo-Addo.

The Council will, among other things, deliberate on the overall government policy relating to the management of the Service and suggest improvements or modifications to government, advice and promote policies aimed at ensuring that the cost of the Service to government is not excessive, and promote the training of Civil Servants by collaborating with institutions of higher learning. Alhaji Amadu reminded the Council of the onerous tasks ahead, especially the challenges of inadequate staffing in terms of the right mix of skills and numbers, relatively low salaries and poor conditions of service, and insufficient budgetary allocation for the operations of the service that had eroded confidence and performance within the service.

He said government was looking up to the Council to provide the requisite leadership and direction by pursuing the implementation of a robust performance management system that measures the performance of each civil service organization as well as individual managers. Besides, the Council must also ensure the expeditious completion of the process of amendment of the Civil Service Law, Rules and Regulations to bring them in line with current developments on the public administration landscape as well as the demands of good governance. Alhaji Amadu asked the Council to explore the use of information and Communication Technology in speeding up the delivery of information and transactional services.

He said since the government would rely on the civil service to implement policies, the Council's goal should be a transformed Civil service of highest standards of integrity, hard work and selfless devotion to duty.

Alhaji Amadu pledged government's readiness to provide the resources and to improve working conditions of civil servants to facilitate the attainment of goals. Dr Dodoo said the revitalization of the Civil Service was key among the priorities of members.

He said efforts would be made to build, strengthen and enhance the competencies of the leadership of the service for efficient delivery and effective performance of duties. The Council will also pay attention to the human resource development within the service, Dr Dodoo said. 9 Sept. 09