Rawlings calls for efficient civil service

Accra (Greater Accra - President Jerry John Rawlings on Tuesday walked down memory lane to the Civil Service of old and said in those days the service was guided by sound work ethic that was respected by all. In those days, he said, people were afraid to commit acts of indiscipline that might soil their honourable career records.

"In recent times, however, there has been an increasing tendency by civil servants to be guided more by individual expediency than by duty and integrity."

The President said this when he commissioned a multi-million- cedi National Headquarters of the Civil Servants' Association of Ghana. The 1.3 billion-cedi office complex was financed through deductions from the salaries of civil servants.

He said he was happy the leadership of the Civil Service was working hard to recapture some of its past glory as it expects to have a revised code of conduct.

"We will now expect Management to be alive to their responsibilities and ensure that discipline is restored in all work places," the President said.

President Rawlings said as much as good industrial relations are important, workers must aim to promote and maintain better levels of productivity at work places.

"The well-being of our people depends on the efficient implementation of programmes with a sense of urgency and dedication," he said, and drew attention to habits that concern the government. These include lateness to work, functions and appointments and the indifferent attitudes to implementation of government policies and decisions.

President Rawlings said these problems appear to pervade the Public Service as most offices are empty at 0800 hours when the public expects to be served.

He said even though those expected to implement government programmes and policies might be competent, because of lack of commitment and devotion to duty, they delay action or do a poor job. President Rawlings said this month's payment of salaries would reflect the changes of the Medium to Long Term Public Sector Salaries and Wage Policy, adding that the massive task of adjusting the payroll may mean that not all salaries would go through today.

"I am assured that the exercise will be completed before the end of the month. I hope that those of you who may have to wait a day or two will exercise patience."

Dr Robert Dodoo, Head of the Civil Service, said the completion of the building is a credit to all civil servants, including the brass who also contributed when traditionally they should not have done so.

Alhaji Yakubu Ziblim, President of the Civil Servants' Association, said the association has spent 650 million cedis to buy land in all the regional capitals to build hostels for use by its members.