Civil Service boss expresses concern about salary administration

Dr. Alex Glover-Quartey, Head of the Civil Service on Monday said the adhoc approach to salary administration for civil servants in the country must stop forthwith.

Speaking at the launch of activities to mark the Africa Day of Administration and Civil Service, Dr Glover-Quartey said keeping salaries low and inadequate because of bad economic performance was no longer tenable and did not contribute to an efficient Service.

"There is the need to break the cycle and look for the money to pay appropriate salaries to keep a well-motivated civil service," he said.

He said government had accepted in principle a wage and income policy, saying a consultant would soon arrive in the country to work out the modalities.

Dr Glover-Quartey assured the civil servants that care would be taken to pursue policies that would not worsen their plight.

He said the civil service must position itself not only to provide the advice and regulatory framework for government work but also create the necessary environment for private sector growth and facilitation of investments.

"That way the civil service will be the instrument for the realization of the government's goal of employment generation and wealth creation, thereby ushering in the Golden Age of Business."

It is in this direction that the capacity of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service was being strengthened to effectively carry out its mandate of ensuring efficiency within the Service.

In this regard, a three-year strategic plan has been prepared and its implementation is due to begin in July this year.

Dr Glover-Quartey said the Service would pursue programmes that would enhance productivity, rebuild the image of the Service, institute and enforce performance related reward systems for all public service staff as well as expand the scope of training of personnel and supervision.

In this vein, Dr Glover-Quartey, said there were plans to establish a Civil Service Training Fund to pool the necessary resources to meet the training needs of workers within the Service.

A book on Management and Control of Public funds, written by George Scott, Director of Finance and Administration, Office of the President was also launched as part of the programme.

The 14-chapter book provided a humble platform on the judicious use of government's resources by reducing waste and leakages in the system.

Africa Day of Administration and Civil Service is celebrated in June every year to review the performance of the Service and its contributions to national growth and development.

This year's celebration is on the theme:"Strengthening Civil Service Capacity for Sustained Achievement of NEPAD's Goals."

Activities for the celebration include lectures, seminar for women and awareness creation on HIV/AIDS.