Editorial: Downsizing a bloated public sector for efficiency

Probably, the enactment of a law to prevent public sector recruitment done just before presidential and parliamentary elections are held will cure this perceived overly-partisan means of employment into the public sector that is slowly eroding competence for patronage.

Mr. Kofi Bentil, Vice President-IMANI Africa, is advancing the proposition that future governments should consider enacting legislation that would prohibit sitting governments from hiring individuals knowing that elections are imminent and a change of government may occur.

This follows the ongoing mass dismissal of public workers recently employed by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) ahead of the 2024 elections and the backlash that has accompanied it. Indeed, Mr. Bentil expressed his support for the dismissal of those employed inappropriately.

Consequently, he proposed a law be introduced to discourage such last-minute recruitments to prevent dismissals that could cause dissatisfaction among the public – as we are currently witnessing with the lame excuse that they are also Ghanaians.

In fact, political patronage is largely responsible for the excessive size of Ghana’s public sector with over 400,000 employees. This is not financially prudent, which is why it will be recalled that in the 1980s the International Monetary Fund (IMF) introduced structural adjustments that led to layoffs and redundancies.

The entry of multi-party politics and political interference has since reversed those measures, leading to the current over-bloated state. The newly appointed Minister for Public Sector Reform, Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, has a tall order in realigning the public workforce to improve efficiency.

It is important that this is addressed holistically to avoid further strain on national resources. The new government has issued a directive stating that individuals employed in various state institutions before the December 2024 elections – and who are still on probation – should be laid off.

Government’s position is that these employees were not properly hired. Minister of State designate for Public Sector Reforms, Lydia Akanvariba, pledged to address long-standing bureaucratic challenges that hinder efficiency in the public sector.

She indicated this during her vetting by parliament’s Appointments Committee yesterday, Monday, February 24. This Paper wishes her well in her endeavours and hopes her appointment will yield the required dividend in seeing an efficient, trim and proactive public sector.

The post Editorial: Downsizing a bloated public sector for efficiency appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.

Read Full Story