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06.10.2015 Opinion

Political Neutrality Of Civil Servants In Good Governance And Nation Building

By Sarpong Nana Akwasi
Political Neutrality Of Civil Servants In Good Governance And Nation Building
06.10.2015 LISTEN

The governance of a state is not a sole responsibility of our elected representatives. It is quite evidential that these elected officials play major roles to enhance development since policies emanates and seek approval from them; executive and legislature respectively. Behind the scene are the various civil servants in the public institutions. Nation building is the process of using state power to develop the state

Good governance which results in development of a state depends on the actions and inactions of the public servants. A Public servant is someone who works in public institution. More specifically a civil servant is someone who works at the administrative organ of government who is charge with the responsibility of implementing government policies.

The civil service in Ghana include the Judicial Service, the Audit Service, the Education Service, the Prisons Service, the Parliamentary service, the Health service, the Statistical service, the National Fire service, the Customs, Excise and Preventive service, the Internal Revenue service, the Police service, the Immigration Service and the Legal Service.(article 190 1A Ghana Constitution 1992).

These institutions play a very vital role in the governance and the development of the people in the state. The health, safety, education and the general well-being of the citizens is done by these many service providers stipulated in the constitution.

The roles they play are very significant that they cannot be removed from office when there is change in government, unlike the elected officials who have tenure of office and can be removed from office anytime. The continuity and permanence of civil servants is very relevant and hence the need to always remain politically neutral.

Loyalty is very significant for the civil service to ensure good governance and development. Total loyalty is very essential for the achievement of purpose for every government. Remaining loyal to any political party and not being partisan will ensure implementation of good and sound policies.

Neutrality of civil servants promotes objectivity and solid advice to any political party that wins power. The structure of the civil service include various professional and technical expertise who advice government on where, when and how to implement a particular policies. Partisan civil service will not give accurate and logistics for a party he/she or belongs to hence the need for all civil service institutions and workers to remain neutral so as they can give out their best to any political party in power and the country at large.

A major significant of neutrality of civil servant is, there is going to be a reduction of interference in the promotion and dismissal etc. of public servants. Ghana over the years suffers from political interference in the public service especially during promotion of individuals to higher office .Promotion should be based on qualification, experience, innovativeness and not bearing of party cards. If such appointments turn partisan it means people capable of holding key public positions will not get the opportunity. Civil servants remaining neutral will reduce the tension and irregularities especially when a new government will have to choose persons to occupy top hierarchy in the service.

There will be no share of blame if a government fails to deliver well .Remaining politically neutral means civil/public servants give out their best equally to any party in power the elected official will then be responsible to the electorate for their success or failure. Political neutrality enhance effective job performance in the outcome in the civil service.it promotes fairness and even distribution and competence on the part of civil servants in the performance of their duties.

In conclusion the neutrality of civil servants in the dispensation of their duties is very paramount in the development of every state. Civil servants have a longer tenure of office as compared to the elected officials. Workers must do well to serve any government without fear intimidation and favor.

Government come and go but the public/civil service always remain because of the role it plays in improving livelihood of the people

Sarpong Nana Akwasi

B A. Political Science, knust

[email protected]

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