Civil Service introduces new performance assessment system

Accra, Nov. 14, GNA - The Office of the Head of Civil Service on Friday announced the introduction a new policy on Performance Management System that will assess the performance of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). The new policy, scheduled to commence next year, spells out rewards and sanctions of the MDA's. It will also assess the performance of individuals.

Mrs. Rebecca Amooh Aboagye, Chief Director, Office of the Head of Civil Service made this known at the launch of the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands' second Strategic Management Plan in Accra. The Strategic Management Plan which covers the period 2008 -2012 seeks to move the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL) forward through accelerated growth.

Under the plan, OASL's operations will be expanded to 40 new districts. Capacity Building of staff as well as providing for equipments will also be addressed so as to ensure increase in revenue. Mrs Aboagye noted that most indicators used in assessing the ease of doing business in the country were related to services in the land sector.

She therefore commended the OASL for producing a comprehensive plan which had far reaching goals and objectives in the area of human resources development, revenue mobilisation, effective data on the development and management of stool lands. "We, at the office the head of Civil Service, are solidly behind you in your attempts to improve your performance," she added. Mrs Aboagye hinted that under the African Association for Public Administration and Management, an award scheme for innovation had been announced.

According to her, one of the objectives of award was to facilitate transfers of innovations and best practices in Public Administration and Management in Africa and challenged the OASL to come up with innovative activities that could compete for awards. Mrs Esther Obeng-Dapaah, Minister for Lands, Forestry and Mines said as policy makers they were conscious of the need to put right policies, structures, plan and strategies in place at the right time to help the land sector to meet its challenges.

Mr Obeng-Dapaah said she was elated that after the launch of the 2003-2007 strategic plan, OASL had seen significant improvement in revenue mobilisation.

"From your records, you have mobilised over 45,777,146 Ghana cedis since it's started its operation in 1996 and that is highly commendable," she pointed out. Mrs Obeng-Dapaah said: "As competitive and rapidly changing as today's business agencies, we must keep policies, strategies and services delivery arrangement up to date and responsive to customer needs." Mrs Christie E. Bobobee, Acting Administrator of Stool Lands said under the Strategic Management Plan, her outfit would identify threats and be hooked on to other opportunities in their operations.