President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned against the increasing commercialisation of essential public services across Africa, describing it as a threat to human dignity and social justice.
Speaking at the opening of the 14th Regional Conference of Public Service International (PSI) in Accra, President Mahama said the growing tendency to treat public services as commodities undermines equality and weakens the moral foundation of society.
“We must resist the trend of treating public services as commodities. When health care becomes a privilege, when education becomes a luxury, and when clean water is unavailable, we strip our people of their dignity,” he warned.
He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to building equitable, people-centred systems aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, stressing that “public service is not charity. It is a human right. It is a cornerstone of inclusive growth and the most enduring symbol of social justice.”
READ: Public service remains a transformational force behind 24-hour economy – Mahama
The President commended public servants for their dedication to keeping the nation running, especially in difficult circumstances. He said the COVID-19 pandemic had shown that the true frontline of national survival was not in “corporate 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, often with limited resources but endless dedication,” he said.
Mahama called for continued efforts to protect, empower, and modernise the public service rather than weaken or privatise it. He said under Ghana’s Reset Agenda, reforms are being implemented to restore trust in public institutions and ensure that public service embodies efficiency, integrity, and a citizen-centred approach.
He also urged collaboration between government, labour, and citizens to strengthen service delivery, noting that “genuine reform only succeeds when it is done with workers and not over them.”
READ: 29th GJA Media Awards: “Freedom must be balanced with responsibility” – Mahama
President Mahama concluded by urging African leaders to rethink the future of public service and invest in the welfare and training of workers.
“This gathering is not only about policies or resolutions. It’s about people; the teacher who inspires a child in a rural classroom, the nurse who saves a life at midnight, and the local government officer who ensures that clean water flows in the village,” he said.
He declared the conference open with a renewed call to “advance the course of quality public service for dignity, for our workers, for our citizens, and our continent.”
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
