Prof Bokpin warns against political recruitment into civil service

Professor Godfred Bokpin, an economist and finance expert, has issued a warning about the dangers of recruiting individuals into Ghana’s civil service based on political considerations. In a recent public lecture, the professor emphasized the pivotal role of the civil service in supporting national development, stating that it is essential to continuity, professionalism, and effective public administration.

Bokpin clarified that the civil service acts as a moderator in a politically polarized nation, where it must balance the government's efforts to formulate, implement, monitor, and evaluate policies for national development.

However, he cautioned against allowing politics to infiltrate the civil service through recruitment practices. Prof Bokpin described this as a "poisonous" trend that could undermine the institution's integrity and hinder its ability to serve the national interest effectively. He stressed the importance of maintaining objectivity within the civil service: "Your (Civil Servants) objectivity will be key.

For that reason, we should not allow politics to influence recruitment into the public service and the civil service. It is one poison you don’t need to be advised to take."

The professor further highlighted the financial implications of an inefficient civil service, noting that it adversely affects the private sector when they interact with government agencies. At the lecture, organized by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service, Bokpin discussed the theme of resetting Ghana's development agenda, focusing on the Civil Service's critical responsibilities in the process.