GHANA COUNTRY PRESENTATION BY MR. ALIDU FUSEINI CHIEF DIRECTOR OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE

Transcription

1 GHANA COUNTRY PRESENTATION BY MR. ALIDU FUSEINI CHIEF DIRECTOR OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE

2 Clarification of terminologies Politician & Technocrat The disconnect Factors accounting for the disconnect How strained relations impact on organisations Recommendations/Way Forward 2/1/2013 2

3 Policy Makers are mostly the Political Leadership while the Technocrats constitute the cadre group for the implementation of policies politicians are the elected representatives of the people, some of whom are appointed by the Government into public service offices as the Political head of the bureaucratic institution. 2/1/2013 3

4 Bureaucrats are the professionals and semi professionals who have gained appointments through the merit system into the organization as career staff Politicians are held accountable at the end of term and during elections, and for how they can satisfy the voters. Bureaucrats are accountable to the Government of the day as well as their professional peers 2/1/2013 4

5 2/1/2013 5

6 Ineffective support from the Directors do not have the requisite competencies Directors do not add value to the work originating from their subordinates - low quality of work Officers do little analytical work Officers report to work late but leave early to attend to other businesses 2/1/2013 6

7 Technocrats indicated that the Political Leadership: Lack understanding of their work as Ministers or Leaders Lack trust and respect for them Tend to disregard professional advise Doubt their loyalty and prefer to use consultants and special assistants Attempt to skirt laid down rules and regulations 2/1/2013 7

8 Overlook organizational values of merit, professionalism, neutrality, etc Politicians come into office with an already prejudiced mind and suspicious of the Bureaucrat. 2/1/2013 8

9 Mode of Entry into Public Service Tenure of Office Outlook of Politician and Technocrat Accountabilities Provision of Inaccurate/non factual information to the Politician Technocrats losing their political neutrality Staffing 2/1/2013 9

10 Technocrats - process of recruitment and selection based on qualifications, specialized skills and experiences in various fields of expertise Political Heads - elected into power and thus possess the mandate of the populace to prosecute the agenda for which they were elected. Therefore look at other key criteria other than or in addition to qualifications and experience 2/1/

11 Technocrats - continued presence within the state apparatus, providing administrative stability during times of political transitions/ ministerial reshuffles Political Heads - has a limited time to stay in office 2/1/

12 Political Heads - focus on the attainment of quick, visible and quantifiable results intended get them re-elected into office Technocrats - does not focus on ideological strategies, but rather on practical, effective ways to deal with the variety of pressing socioeconomic issues 2/1/

13 The accountabilities of Politician during their tenure of office is with the electorate The accountabilities of the Technocrat lie with political heads, superior officers and organizational values. 2/1/

14 (Politicization of Bureaucracy and Bureaucratization of politics) Some Politicians undermine the organizational values and impose measures that cannot be sustained after their tenure especially in appointments and radical policy changes 2/1/

15 Some Technocrats also forget their values of political neutrality and identify themselves with political parties which eventually creates a sense of mistrust and insecurity between themselves and existing or past governments. 2/1/

16 Ghana (Results of survey) Poor Planning and Decision Making Inability to meet agreed organisational targets and deadlines Loss of Institutional Memory Loss of time and finances 2/1/

17 Organise regular interactive meetings between Politicians and Top Technocrats Both sides to demonstrate clear commitment to Civil Service values Organise orientations for political heads on their assumption of office 2/1/

18 Technocrats must: know the political environment and sensitivities of the Minister study and understand Minister s strength, weakness, goals, work styles demonstrate values such as cooperation, reliability, honesty and diplomacy however difficult the situation Make available to Ministers honest and impartial information relevant to a decision Remain anonymous and attribute all positive initiatives at the workplace to his Minister 2/1/

19 Politicians too must: Learn to listen to the advise of Technocrats in taking decisions Make conscious efforts to use in-house expertise Be abreast with the laid down rules and regulations within the public administration system 2/1/

20 Results Based Management is fundamental to delivery of targets and improved service It requires focusing the attention of the institution on a common objective and galvanize members for the attainment of this objective It is therefore important to build synergies at all levels. 2/1/

21 Thank you for your attention 2/1/