President John Dramani Mahama has decried what he described as the reckless misuse of public funds by persons mandated to protect it.
President Mahama said it was grim watching the proceedings of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament year-on-year, where public funds were dissipated without consequences.
Opening the 12th Annual Conference of Chairpersons of Governing Boards and Councils, Chief Directors and Chief Executives of the Public Services Commission (PSC) in Ho yesterday, President Mahama said the government would crack down on persons who would be cited by the Auditor-General for misappropriating public funds.
“Recently, I’ve been watching the Public Accounts Committee and it’s so pathetic. Why must we every year, congregate at the Committee and you hear all kinds of atrocious recklessness with public funds and resources?
“So I have a meeting with the Chief Justice and Attorney-General to find a final solution to this Auditor-General’s report. That persons who have been found guilty of infractions or did not follow due procedure or whose decisions lead to loss of public resources must have a fast-track process to Nsawam (prison),” the President stated.
According to him, there must be deterrents because “until people know that you can be held responsible, they will continue to do so.”
The constitutional provision with the implementation of the Auditor-General’s report, he said, had not fully been implemented—a grey area, he noted, needed to be clarified.
The two-day conference is on the theme “Strengthening Public Sector Leadership and Governance to Enhance Service Delivery.”
It brought together Chairpersons of Governing Boards and Councils, Chief Directors and Chief Executives of state institutions to brainstorm on how their efficiency could impact the 24-hour economic policy of government.
Public service, President Mahama noted, must be for public good and not an avenue to amass wealth or personal aggrandisement.
“Those offices are not yours. They are for the people of Ghana. You have been appointed for a period of time to go look after that particular institution and serve them in the best way possible. We must get that orientation in our minds so that we are able to serve as expected of us,” the President admonished.
He said following the laid down procedure might be cumbersome at times, but it was better to do so and avoid post-term accountability.
Chairman of the occasion, Torgbui Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, underscored the need for a strong public service for sustainable growth.
He urged their continuous training so as to sharpen their skills to deliver on their mandate to enhance service delivery.
“Be creative agents of change and not custodians of the status quo. Leadership is key and it requires teamwork. Be transparent in your dealings,” Torgbui Afede XIV counselled.
Prof. Victor Kwame Agyemang, Chairperson of the PSC, on his part, acknowledged that the public service was a microcosm of the country’s workforce.
FROM JULIUS YAO PETETSI & SAMUEL AGBEWODE, HO
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