Institute rewards for performing Public Service officials- Vice President

Vice President John Mahama on Friday urged the Public Service Commission to initiate and institute a rewarding system for workers who excel in their sectors in order to buoy up the enthusiasm of younger ones.

He said the current system where government paid workers on a particular percentage of their salaries across board was not encouraging hard work since even the non-performing officials benefited from the increment.

Vice President Mahama made the call when he addressed the sixth annual conference of the Public Service Chief Executives, Chief Directors and chairmen of governing Boards and Councils, under the theme; Changing the Mindset for good governance in the Public Service in Koforidua.

The Conference, which was initiated in 2006, would among other issues, serve as a platform for top public service officials to exchange ideas on contemporary issues, promote best practices on good governance and spur up productivity in the sector.

The three-day conference would brainstorm on topics such as: Changing Attitudes and Behaviours in the Public Services for Enhanced Productivity: The role of the Chief Executive, The challenges of Record-Keeping in Public Service Organisations, Exploring the use of e-Record Keeping Methodologies and Role Transformation in improving Public-Private collaboration.

The Vice President attributed the human resource deficits in the public service to lack of incentives for good performance, coupled with weak institutions, which was deterring young and energetic graduates from sector.

“Until we change the red-tapeism, bureaucratic and slow pace of doing things in the public and civil service, we will always continue to lose the best bureaucrats and technocrats to the private sector that were more serious,” he added.

He called for the strengthening of the customer service sectors and effective ways of archiving and keeping records with electronic back-ups to repose confidence in the public service in the event of fire outbreaks and other natural disasters.

“That mentality of, that is how we have always done it, must pave way for, how can we do it better “in order to move the public and civil service to the current development and economic challenges, the Vice President added.

Dr Kwasi Apea-Kubi, out-going Eastern Regional Minister appealed to Public servants to remain neutral in the discharge of their official duties, as taking political sides could inhibit and ruin their professional career.

“Let politicians play their political roles and allow the bureaucrats and technocrats to play their administrative roles to ensure mutual benefits.” he added Mrs Bridget Katsriku, Chairperson of the Public Services Commission gave the assurance that her outfit would continue to institute more training programmes to change the mindset of public servants to anchor the service to become vibrant, buoyant and attractive.