Hasten process to review Civil Service Act 1993 …Civil Service head to govt

President Akufo-Addo(right) presenting the instrument of office to Dr. Evans Aggrey-Darkoh, Head of Civil Service at the Jubilee House

The newly sworn-in Head of Civil Service, Dr Evans Aggrey-Darko, has lobbied government to hasten the process leading to the review of the Civil Service Act enacted in 1993.

Dr Aggrey-Darko said some proposals have been sent to cabinet and was hoping for a swift response from the executive to meet the demands on the service.

President Akufo-Addo (right) swearing in Dr Evans Aggrey-
Darko as Head of Civil Service at the Jubilee House

He made the call when he was sworn-in by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as the Head of Civil Service on Monday at the Jubilee House in Accra.

President Akufo-Addo urged Dr Evans Aggrey-Darko to work assiduously to position the Civil Service as a productive and resourceful state institution.

He said the Civil Service played a critical role in the administration of the state, however, it would take only a service that was productive, resourceful and had sympathetic considerations for government that could contribute to the welfare of the citizenry.

“You’re today the head of this institution and the responsibilities imposed on you is considerable, but your background in terms of your experience makes it clear you should be up to it and that is why the opportunity is given to you to serve your country in this exalted position,” he emphasised.

He encouraged the new head to manifest his independence of spirit, however it must be done in a way that built than destroy.

“The most important quality that you have to manifest, your independence of spirit, it is not about necessarily being on antagonistic course with the government of the day.

President Akufo-Addo said Ghanaians would derive benefit from the office of the Civil Service if the head exercised his mind and discretion in most positive ways, adding that “The Office of the President had an extremely good cordial relationship with your predecessor and we will expect that we have the same with you.”

“If there is any one time that you feel you’ll need access to me, please don’t hesitate, my duty is to work with you for the benefit of our people and for the betterment of our state,” he stressed.

Dr Aggrey-Darko expressed gratitude to the government for the confidence reposed in him and pleaded with the government to consider proposals on the review of the Act that governs the Service.

“Your Excellency, we seek your support in for instance the review of the Civil Service Act. The Act was enacted in 1993 and we are being overtaken by events. We have made some proposals to cabinet on it and I am hoping that when it comes to your attention, you’ll give it a favourable attention so that we can re-craft the Act to take care of the exigencies of the time,” he appealed.

The new Head of Civil Service said he was committed to continuing with the various reforms initiated by his predecessors both ancient and modern while initiating new ones to revamp the service in a manner that was consistent with the mandate.

Dr Aggrey-Darko explained that the objective of the Civil Service was to assist government in the formulation and implementation of public policies and programmes for the country.

To this end, he said, he was committed to preside over a revamped, retooled, motivated and rejuvenated civil service to anchor the development the country so fervently sought.

He said the enormity of the assignment given him was not lost on him and would count on the unflinching support of the president of the republic and the government to achieve that.

BY CLIFF EKUFUL