President John Dramani Mahama has underscored the central role of public servants in national development, emphasising that the prosperity of nations depends on their motivation and wellbeing.
Speaking at the opening of the 14th Regional Conference of Public Service International (PSI) in Accra, the President said the gathering was a reminder of the men and women whose daily work sustains the very fabric of societies.
“This gathering reminds us of men and women whose daily work upholds the very fabric of our societies,” he said, commending Public Service International for its advocacy on dignity of labour, fair wages, and workers’ rights.
Mahama said Ghana’s progress over the years had been anchored on the dedication of teachers, nurses, engineers, administrators, judges, police officers, and many others who keep the nation functioning with “limited resources but endless dedication.”
He reminded delegates that the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the true frontline of national survival; not in boardrooms but in hospitals, classrooms, and local government offices.
“These are the people who keep our nation running. These are the people who keep our nation united,” he said.
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The President called for continued investment in and protection of the public service, insisting that the sector must be empowered and modernised rather than weakened or privatised.
He said the government’s Reset Agenda was focused on restoring trust in public institutions through efficiency, integrity, and a citizen-centred approach. According to him, reforms being implemented include a new performance management framework, operationalisation of the human resource management information system, and emphasis on training, ethics, and merit-based advancement.
“Because the effectiveness of the public service must reflect the values that we cherish; justice, fairness, and respect for human dignity,” he noted.
Mahama further explained that Ghana’s move toward a 24-hour economy would depend on an efficient and responsive public service capable of delivering around-the-clock.
He also stressed the importance of collaboration with labour unions, stating that “genuine reform only succeeds when it is done with workers and not over them.”
Addressing the broader African context, the President warned that the increasing commercialisation of essential services risks eroding human dignity.
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“When healthcare becomes a privilege, when education becomes a luxury, and when clean water is unavailable, we strip our people of their dignity,” he said.
Mahama called for renewed commitment to the welfare and training of public servants, the promotion of gender equality, and the use of technology to enhance service delivery.
He reaffirmed that Ghana has passed the Affirmative Action Act, targeting 30 percent of women in public office by the end of 2025, 35 percent by 2026, and 50 percent by 2030, a vision he described as “Chempé,” meaning “half and half.”
The President concluded by reminding delegates that the strength of the nation lies not in its financial resources but in the dedication of its public servants.
“The strength of our nation depends not on the size of our budgets, but on the quality and integrity of those who serve within our public institutions,” he said.
“When these public servants thrive, our nations prosper. When they are demoralised or demotivated, our societies are weakened.”
Declaring the conference open, President Mahama urged all stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to building a professional, motivated, and dignified public service that serves everyone.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
