Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, the 2008 presidential flag-bearer of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), has said that instead of President John Atta Mills showing anger at the level of corruption in the country, he must rather go back to strengthen public institutions.
He said this should be done through consistent leadership, investment in improving the conditions of work (facilities, technology, etc.) and transforming the reform work seen by some as temporary measure into a permanent Ministry of Public Service to work on continuous reform.
In a statement entitled “Don’t Get Angry, Reform”, Dr. Nduom pointed out that it is important to improve the nation’s public sector institutions by investing in them.
“When something goes wrong, we must investigate and find where wrong doing is ascertained, then act firmly to punish those responsible and follow up with preventive measures. Ghanaians are not more corrupt than Americans, the British or Koreans,” he noted.
“They tend to have stronger institutions that work constantly to prevent corruption with more motivated personnel, better systems and modern technology. They are quick to act to remove “rot” when discovered.
“But there is no doubt that there are problems. Problems are there to be solved, not with anger. By considering the scope, size and nature of the problems, designing solutions and implementing them with a sense of urgency. That is what is required of leaders,” he stated.
Dr. Nduom pointed out that CEPS, like most public sector institutions, needs strengthening.
“The processes need to be re-engineered to make them simpler. They need technology – hardware, software and communications to facilitate the work. They need tighter and stronger supervision including surveillance technology to monitor the actions and activities of officers constantly. They need the encouragement that comes from a decent compensation package. They need a conducive work environment. This change – the kind of change we need but that which cannot be commanded and must be worked for consistently until the right results are achieved – takes time.”
“Unfortunately, President Mills in 2009 scrapped the Ministry of Public Sector Reform and downgraded the reform effort. Public sector reform has become a voluntary task without the force of single purpose leadership required to solve the many problems we are faced with.”
He observed that the one component of the multi-faceted programme that is seeing light of day, though delayed, is the Single Spine Salary Scheme which is one part of Pay Reform.
“Even that one still requires the strengthening of the Fair Wages & Salaries Commission to enable it to do its work with consistency and achieve long term success.”
Source: The Ghanaian Times