Ghana to host Africa Public Service Day
Mr Alhassan Azong, the Minister of Public Service Reform Sector (PSRS), has announced that Ghana will hold the 2013 African Public Service Day (APSD) in June.
He said Ghana was chosen to hold the day last two years but because the government could not factor it into the national budget it had to be postponed.
Mr Azong said this when he inaugurated a 23-member National Planning Committee in Accra to plan the event.
Members of the National Planning Committee, who were drawn from the public service institutions, are to plan and implement all activities that will lead to the successful celebration of the day, determine the duration of the event and its related activities including exhibition.
They would also provide leadership and guidance in the implementation of the APSD celebrations, develop a work plan for implementing the event, develop a marketing strategy for APSD celebrations and devise strategies and mechanism for implementation.
Other tasks include developing a budget for the event, mobilizing resources and developing a programme for exchange and information sharing among stakeholders, identify and partner in a collaborative manner with private sector and other relevant institutions in the implementation of respective thematic areas and prepare and submit progress reports to the PSRS.
Mr Azong said the nature and scope of the celebration was such that there was no time to relax and urged the committee members to begin sitting immediately.
“I am sure that it is because of your skills and knowledge in similar jobs that your principals have nominated you to join hands with us to plan the event,” he said.
He urged them the work hard to generate positive interest of all citizens to be part of the event, especially the interest of the public service institutions which by all standards would form the pivot of the celebration.
The Minister said to mark and recognize the role of public servants and public service organizations and their positive contributions to national development and benefits to the population, civil society and private sector, there was the need for public servants to show their capabilities.
“I am confident that you will not let your superiors down, neither will you allow the confidence that the larger African continent has for Ghana be diminished,” he added.
Mr Azong pledged the PSRS’ preparedness to support and service the activities of the committee to facilitate their work.
During the celebration, there would be a week-long exhibition of African Public Service Goods and Services and award ceremony where the best performing Public Service would be awarded.
The Award receiver would then represent the continent at the United Nations.
Source: GNA