Woode Heads Public Service Commission

President John Agyekum Kufuor has appointed Professor Samuel Nunoo Woode, as the new Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC). The president during the administration of the oath of office on the new chairman asked the commission to be truthful, objective and fair in its deliberations to make the Service a viable, efficient and effective machinery of governance.

Professor Woode was the Director of the Institute of Local Government Studies in Accra.

President Kufuor said the welfare of the entire Public Service, recruitment, conditions of service and termination of service were under the Commission and they should, therefore, approach their duties with truthfulness, objectivity and fairness.

Prof. Woode said the Service faced tough changes and challenges resulting from years of reform, adding that it was now operating in a society that was increasingly vocal and open but the delivery of service lagged behind public expectation.

He said the administrative landscape of the Service was characterised by emphasis on decentralising management or managerial responsibility, which meant a variety of tapping and recruitment practices and problems.

Professor Woode said the Service was faced with problems of attracting, motivating and retaining high calibre personnel. He said if this situation is left unchecked it would create a leadership vacuum especially in the higher echelons of the Service.

The Chairman of the Commission said these challenges called for a Commission that was at the cutting edge of change, professionally managed, able to provide the requisite leadership and vision to operate as one body.

He said the Commission should be one that was mindful of its standard monitoring role and lead to the restoration of Public Service values and norms.

Professor Woode said Ghana depended on the quality of the personnel within the Service, and the agenda of the Commission was how to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the Public Service of Ghana.

"The challenges are daunting, the task ahead will not be easy. I am taking the job with all humility to listen, learn and work together with my colleagues to serve Ghanaians," he said.