Vice President calls for professionalism and innovation in civil service

The Vice President of the Republic, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has urged civil servants to strengthen professionalism, collaboration and innovation to improve public service delivery and support Ghana’s sustainable development.

Speaking at the 2026 Civil Service Week Celebration and 2025 Awards Ceremony, held under the theme, “The Resetting Agenda for Sustainable Development in Ghana: The Civil Service’s Responsibility,” the Vice President said the Civil Service provides continuity across political administrations, preserves institutional knowledge and brings the technical expertise required to translate policy into action.

She noted that the effectiveness of the Civil Service directly influences the quality of services delivered to Ghanaians across health, education, agriculture, infrastructure and economic development.

Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang said government’s public sector reforms, improved financial management and expenditure controls must ultimately result in institutions that work better and public services that respond more effectively to citizens’ needs.

She stressed that sustainable development required strong institutions, responsible management of public resources, social inclusion and a professional, innovative and accountable Civil Service.

The Vice President reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening the Civil Service and improving public service delivery.

She disclosed that an oversight committee had been inaugurated in June to guide the finalisation and implementation of the National Public Sector Reform Strategy, aimed at addressing challenges affecting efficiency and service delivery.

She commended the Head of the Civil Service and all stakeholders for organising the celebration and congratulated recipients of the 2025 Civil Service Awards for their discipline, integrity, innovation and commitment to public service.

She also acknowledged the many dedicated public servants who, despite not receiving awards, continue to perform their duties diligently, treat citizens with dignity and contribute meaningfully to the Civil Service

The Head of the Civil Service, Dr Evans Aggrey-Darko, urged public servants to embrace innovation, accountability and professional excellence in the discharge of their duties.

He called for stronger collaboration among the Civil Service, the private sector and academia to identify and address bottlenecks in public service delivery.

Dr Aggrey-Darko urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to place greater emphasis on measurable outcomes rather than policy formulation alone, saying public institutions must demonstrate the impact of their work on citizens.

He also highlighted efforts to automate public sector processes and improve institutional coordination to enhance efficiency and responsiveness in the delivery of public services.

The ceremony also celebrated the achievements of outstanding civil servants, with a total of 125 staff and Honourees receiving awards for meritorious performance.

Dr Aggrey-Darkoh said the awards had a legal basis under Section 88(1) of the Civil Service Act, 1993 (Act 327), which provided for the recognition of meritorious performance within the Civil Service.

The annual Civil Service Awards formed part of broader efforts to promote a performance-driven culture, recognise excellence and encourage innovation and accountability across the public service.