Strategic partnership and strong cooperation between the public and private sector are prerequisites for accelerated national development, the Head of Civil Service, Nana Kwasi Agyekum Dwamena has said.
He said cooperation between the two sectors would push Ghana’s development agenda forward, adding that the work of the private and public organisations complement each other and that forming a strategic partnership for the country is the way to go than each working for their own interest.
Nana Agyeman made the remark at the press launch of the 2020 Civil Service Week in Accra on Thursday, September 17, 2020, on the theme: “Civil Service and Private Sector Synergy: A National Development Imperative.
He said this year’s celebration would provide a platform for the Civil Service to engage with the private and public organizations to identify potential areas for job creation, find innovative ways of expanding the economy and create new opportunities for every Ghanaian.
According to him, the benefits that would be accrued to the state would be enormous if the synergy between the public and private sector was amiable but it must be guided by mutual trust and accountability to the people.
“It is in this spirit that all Civil Servants are encouraged to offer high-quality services to every citizen who calls at their doors to assist in national development,” he added.
He said as part of the week-long celebrations, a public lecture would be held on ways of building and improving the synergy between the public and private sector and the models that would be adopted by Ghana to achieve mutual benefits for the two sectors.
Touching on the impact of the Covid-19 on the Civil Service, he said the introduction of flexible working hours due to the outbreak of the virus has enabled staff to work remotely at home while delivering quality service to clients.
He said to assist in this direction, the Ministry of Communication has rolled out a software dubbed “Smart Workplace Platform” to enable all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to conduct government business in a more secured environment using ICT infrastructure and also interact virtually.
He added that two online application software have been introduced: The Online Recruitment System and the Online Graduate Entrance Examination System, to ensure a more competitive, credible and transparent recruitment system to reduce collision, nepotism and corruption in the recruitment into Civil Service.
The programme, which is celebrated annually, seeks to recognise the strategic importance of employees of the Service to national development and honour their dedication and selfless service to Ghana.
As part of the week-long programme, a thanksgiving service will be held on Friday, September 18, a public lecture on Tuesday, September 22, an open day at the various MDAs on Wednesday, September 23, a clean-up exercise and health day at all MDAs on Thursday, September 24 and would be climaxed on Friday, September 25 with the Civil Service Awards Ceremony.
Ishmael Batoma & Constance Evans-Kekrebesi
