The Ministry of Public Sector Reform (MPSR) is to focus on pay reforms, service delivery improvement and decentralization as part of its work programme for the year 2007.
The sector Minister Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom said the objective of the pay reforms is to implement a sustainable public sector pay policy to improve the morale and productivity of public servants.
Speaking at a press briefing on progress being made so far by the Ministry, Dr. Nduom said the MPSR, in less than two years of its establishment, had made giant strides in the areas of civil service restructuring, public sector pay policy and pension reform, records management and service delivery improvement.
Touching on civil service restructuring, Dr. Nduom said an MOU was signed for a reform project followed by the confirmation of the appointment of 35 chief directors of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies. In addition, he said, a three-week intensive training workshop was held for the chief directors at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
On service delivery improvement in the public sector, Dr. Nduom disclosed that customer service units (CSU) have been established and maintained in 25 MDAs to enhance customer care. Also, complaints handling resources and training in customer care have been provided to the CSU officers.
In addition, he said, an excellence award scheme was established to reward innovation and service delivery in the public sector.
Another achievement of the MPSR has to do with pay and pension reform, which witnessed the approval of a comprehensive salary structure for the entire public sector. In addition, legislation has been drafted for a Fair Wages and Salaries Commission that will manage wage and salary administration to ensure equity.
On decentralization, Dr. Nduom said the MPSR has supported the Local Government Service (LGS) and the LGS Council to bring greater attention and focus to decentralization.
He said the Ministry assisted in gaining consensus to transfer personnel from the Office of Head of Civil Service to the Local Government Service.
On subvented agencies, the Public Sector Minister said his Ministry saw to the passage of the Subvented Agencies Law (Act 706) and facilitated sessions to disseminate it to key stakeholders.
He said the Ministry assessed and supported the Ghana University Press and facilitated the refurbishment of the W.E.B Du Bois Centre.
The MPSR also established an MOU with the National Commission on Culture to support the human resource development of the NCC staff.
Dr. Nduom noted that though some people would not be satisfied with the current state of service delivery in the public sector, “at least there is some improvement”.
He commended the limited staff of the Ministry and other stakeholders for their immense contribution to the reform process and urged them to put in more efforts in making the reform initiative a reality.
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