The Vice-President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has urged civil service staff to renew commitment to professionalism, strengthen collaboration across ministries, departments and agencies, and place citizens at the centre of decision-making to help government’s Reset Agenda.

Speaking at the 2025 Civil Service Awards in Accra last Friday to climax the 2026 Civil Service Week celebration, the Vice-President said civil service was “a sacred trust bestowed on us by the people of Ghana”, and must be seen as such by all workers in state institutions for the development of the country.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang underscored the critical role of the civil service, stressing that it remained the constant through which the government delivered its mandate, providing continuity across political administrations and the technical expertise to translate policy into action.

She affirmed that the quality of the civil service had a direct bearing on services citizens received in health, education, agriculture, infrastructure and economic development.

The annual ceremony, organised by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service on behalf of the President, was dedicated to recognising civil service staff who continued to strengthen public administration and to also educate the public about the role of the service in the country’s development.

This year’s event awarded over 100 civil service officers across all ministries, departments and agencies, including 10 Chief Directors.

The Chief Director of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, Wilhelmina Asamoah, was adjudged the overall best-performing Chief Director in the Civil Service in 2025. 

Linking the role of the service to the government’s development agenda, the Vice-President said the “Resetting Agenda for Sustainable Development” had placed particular responsibility on the civil service.

The agenda, she explained, reflected the government’s commitment to restoring confidence in institutions, strengthening governance, promoting economic resilience and accelerating sustainable national development.

To support this, she said the government was advancing the National Public Sector Reform Strategy 2.0, with an oversight committee inaugurated in June this year to guide its finalisation and implementation.

She added that work was also underway on a new national embodiment policy and framework for an independent emoluments commission to promote fairness in public sector remuneration, alongside reforms in public financial management.

The Vice-President praised award recipients for their discipline, integrity, innovation and perseverance, saying such recognition built a performance-driven culture. 
She also acknowledged all officers whose diligence continued to sustain the service.

“The success of the Resetting Ghana Agenda will depend in no small measure on the civil service. I, therefore, urge all civil service staff to come fully on board,” she said.

The Head of the Civil Service, Dr Evans Aggrey-Darkoh, called for a major shift in how public officers work, and urged public service staff to move from routine to resource, from silos to collaboration, and from process-driven to citizen-focused services.

Dr Aggrey-Darkoh said the effectiveness of government policies ultimately depended on the commitment, competence and attitudes of civil service staff.

“We must continue to uphold professionalism, integrity, accountability, innovation and a strong commitment to results while placing the citizen at the centre of our work,” he said.

He stated that Section 88(1) of the Civil Service Act 1993, Act 327, provided the legal basis for the awards, and that government was seeking a review of the law to reflect current realities.

To the award recipients, he said the recognition reflected dedication, and should inspire them to lead by example, while also pushing others who did not receive awards to work harder.

Dr Aggrey-Darkoh added that civil service staff must commit to moving “from traditional approaches to innovation and digital solutions” and also doing the right things that deliver impact.

He commended the planning committee, sponsors, directors and the Civil Service Council for supporting excellence, and urged staff to aid in building a service where citizens remained central to its work.