It was organised by the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG) on the theme: "Constitutionalism of the President's appointment of Chief Executive Officers in the Public Service: Reflections on the Presidential Transition Act, 2012 (Act 845).

Per the Act, the President could only appoint such CEOs in consultation with the board and the Public Services Commission and not do so arbitrarily.
Explaining how the process works, Dr Appiah said no minister had the power to either appoint or sack any appointee unless such a minister had been written to by the President to do so.

Tracing the history of the Civil Service globally, he credited Sri Lanka as the mother of all, whose model even the British adopted, just as Ghana did.

The lecturer said the era of forcing people to resign for joining political parties must be a thing of the past, "because there are procedures for appointing and removing civil servants.

"But the truth, however, is, Civil Service must remain independent of political parties," he said.

Dr Appiah said the call for reset sits on a vibrant civil service training school and a course in leadership.

"Leadership is not created by chance or does not emerge from the firmament of the sky, but through careful training and mentoring," he said.

Sequel to that, he called for an effective and competent public service that would lead the charge in driving out political influence in the appointment and promotion of civil servants without recourse to the law and procedure.

Tenure

He expressed worry at Ghana's current constitution, which allows a President to "produce magic" in four years and a maximum of eight years, urging the Constitutional Review Committee to take a critical look at that section.

Citing Singapore and other countries whose leaders have stayed on for longer periods, which has translated into massive development.

“In such a country, once the leader is considered good and delivering according to the wishes of the people, he is made to hold on and develop the country.

"It is difficult to perform any magic in four years," Dr Appiah said.

About Nathan Quao

Nathan Anang Quao was a Ghanaian statesman and educationist who served as Secretary to the PNDC from 1984 to 1993 and special assistant to the late President Jerry Rawlings from 1993 to 2001.

A career diplomat and civil servant, he retired as a cabinet secretary and head of the civil service in 1973.

Appointment of CEOs

A Deputy Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, said President John Dramani Mahama has kept faith with the law in appointing CEOs.

She said during the transition period, the boards had not been established.

"It is the reason why they were put in an acting capacity, awaiting the formation of the boards.

"Act 195 is very clear. It places the power to appoint solely to the President, and so far, President Mahama has kept fidelity with the law," she explained.

Awards

Eight members of CLOGSAG, including its former head, Dr Evance Agbemo Dzikum, were honoured for their distinguished services.