Mills orders government deparments to display fees for services

Accra (Greater Accra) 25 May '99

The vice-president, John Evans Atta Mills has directed all official institutions to display prominently at vantage points in their various premises details of fees and charges for the services they render.

These, as well as exemptions where applicable, should be published in the newspapers, he ordered.

The instructions are contained in a letter dated April 20 sent to all ministers with copies to the Secretary to the President and the Presidential Adviser on Governmental Affairs.

Prof. Mills said it has been observed that one pervasive form of corruption, which impacts most severely on the underprivileged is the frequent demand on them for unauthorised payments for services rendered by personnel of various government institutions.

He noted that one factor that facilitates this is the public's apparent ignorance about the levels of fees and charges authorised for various services rendered by public officials.

"At times," he wrote, "the public is not even aware of which services are free."

Prof. Mills said as part of the measures to check this type of corruption in the public service, "It has been decided that all official institutions, such as hospitals, all offices which sell application forms, issue permits, charge processing fees and provide services of any kind, should display prominently at vantage points in

their various premises, details of fees and charges for the services they render."

The letter asked all sector ministers to issue appropriate directives to relevant organisations and institutions under them to comply strictly with the instructions without fail by May 31, 1999.

It said ministers should note that after the deadline, sanctions would be imposed for non-compliance.