Reforms will survive governments-World Bank

Accra (Greater Accra) 7 April ?99

The World Bank is optimistic that no democratic change in government will jeopardise the public sector reforms agenda being pursued by the government.

Dr. Guenter Heidenhof, a senior management specialist of the Bank, told reporters, Tuesday that the present state of the public service would not be able to serve any government well, because it does not encourage public saving and efficiency.

The bank has already pledged about 100 million cedis to fund the eleven year programme which has been woven into Vision 2020, the nation's medium term development strategy. Dr Heidenhof said the bank agreed to fund the project because of the government's commitment and willpower amply demonstrated in the setting up of structures like the National Institutional Renewal Programme, to see to the implementation of the agenda. "After failing with the Economic Renewal and Structural Adjustment Programmes, the sceptics nearly had their day, but it took a well structured home-growth plan and a serious government to win us back".

He said the agenda is a "Ghanaian solution to a Ghanaian problem which promises to be sustainable". Dr Heidenhof however said results gathered from the first three years of the project will determine the continuity or otherwise of the reforms.

"I must say here again that we are impressed by Ghana government's commitment to this whole thing, but if the first three years do not yield good results, we will back off". Athough expectations are not so high, all players need to redouble their efforts to make the reforms a success, he said.

The World Bank expert said unlike the ERP and SAP where the bank was more concerned about reducing numbers to achieve results, the reform will look at the totality of the sector.

"Every step of the programme will be watched and above all, we shall be going to the ordinary Ghanaian, time after time to find out what his/her perceptions are".

More than 60 delegates from the executive wing of government, Legislature, Judiciary, Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society last month reviewed the agenda which is currently awaiting cabinet's nod before receiving Parliamentary scrutiny.