Accra: Government has said the success of the proposed National Public Sector Reform Strategy II (NPSRS II) will be measured by improvements in public service delivery. The proposed five-year strategy seeks to improve the quality, accessibility, and efficiency of government services through digitalisation, stronger accountability, and institutional reforms. Mrs Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, Minister of State for Public Sector Reforms, made these remarks at a National Stakeholder Validation Workshop in Accra, where the draft strategy was reviewed before submission to Cabinet.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs Akanvariba stated that the strategy aims to build a citizen-centred public sector that delivers efficient, transparent, and accessible services nationwide. The plan is structured around seven strategic pillars, 27 programmes, and 135 activities to enhance service delivery, strengthen regulatory systems, modernise public institutions, improve local governance, expand digital government services, and ensure sustainable financing for reforms.
The Minister highlighted that the strategy builds on previous reforms implemented under the Public Sector Reform for Results Project, supported by the World Bank. This project had introduced improvements at key institutions including the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, the Passport Office, and the Births and Deaths Registry. She noted that lessons learned from the previous reform strategy, such as delays in funding and incomplete implementation in some institutions, have informed the new framework.
Mrs Akanvariba also mentioned that the Government is collaborating with the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, and the National Identification Authority to integrate key public services through interoperable digital platforms. This initiative aims to improve access and reduce the need for physical visits to public offices. The draft strategy has been developed through consultations with various stakeholders including ministries, departments, agencies, local government institutions, organised labour, academia, civil society organisations, development partners, and the private sector.
The strategy will be submitted to the Chief of Staff for onward presentation to Cabinet following the validation exercise. Implementation will commence subject to Cabinet and parliamentary approval. A monitoring and evaluation framework is included in the strategy to assess implementation and measure improvements in public service delivery.
Dr Evans Aggrey-Darkoh, Head of the Civil Service, underscored the necessity of sustained public sector reforms to strengthen institutions and meet changing governance demands and citizens' expectations. He emphasised that digitalisation will be a key driver of the reforms, improving efficiency, reducing excessive human interaction, and minimising opportunities for corruption while making government services more accessible.
Mr Kizito Ballans, Technical Advisor to the Deputy Chief of Staff, Nana Oye Bampoe-Addo, noted that stronger implementation, effective monitoring and evaluation, integrated digital government systems, leadership development, workforce re-skilling, and structured citizen feedback will be critical to achieving the strategy's objectives.