Co-ordination is crucial to public reform -Sai

Akosombo (Eastern Region) 19 March '99 Public Service reforms will make government business more efficient. However, lack of coordination will render government business divisive, Mr Emmanuel Ashare Sai, Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC) said on Friday. He said society is getting more complex and therefore institutions like the Public Service has to be tailored to suit modern trends. In an interview with GNA Mr Sai said, ''I see the coordination of the numerous roles under the reform agenda as the most crucial element we have to face". The PSC boss is among 60 delegates reviewing government strategy to reform the public service to suit the objectives of Vision 2020 at Akosombo. Ghana and the World Bank are sponsoring the three-day workshop, organised by the National Institution Renewal Programme (NIRP). Under the reform package, the PSC is to be principally responsible for human and administrative management. It will also be responsible for the management of constitutionally created independent bodies. Mr Sai opined that reducing the entire public service could improve efficiency tremendously but then the right calibre of personnel will be needed to make the turn around complete. "We have to train and re-orientate workers, equip them well and look at issues like reward and participation in decision making at workplaces which I think could change attitudes." He described most concepts in the reform agenda as "old ones which have been left hanging and neglected. "What we need as a people is the will and now is the time for this generation to make sacrifices for a better future", he added.