The new Head of the Civil Service, Dr. Evans Aggrey, paid a courtesy call to the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MELR) on Wednesday, 25th October 2023, the visit was aimed to acquaint Dr. Aggrey with the ministry's operations and responsibilities.

Dr. Aggrey was accompanied by a delegation from the Office of the Head of Civil Service, (OHCS) including Madam Eunice Osae, Elizabeth Obeng Yeboah, Director in charge of Recruitments Training and development, Mr Prince Kulevane, Director Carrier Management Directory and other staff members from the OHCS.

Mr. Kizito Ballans, the Chief Director of MELR, extended a warm welcome to the delegation and provided an overview of the Ministry's core mandates. Among its primary responsibilities, Mr. Ballans highlighted the promotion of harmonious labour relations, occupational health and safety, job creation, and the pursuit of decent work outcomes, among others.

Expressing his gratitude for the warm reception, Dr. Evans Aggrey articulated his vision for his tenure as the Head of Civil Service. He emphasized the unique role of civil servants in driving the nation's development, emphasizing that each public servant has a crucial role to play in achieving this goal.

Dr. Aggrey emphasized the need for deliberate action, noting that it is the government's business to stay in business. He urged civil servants to view their roles as a noble calling and outlined his commitment to building upon the foundations laid by his predecessor.

The Head of Service shared his vision on bureaucracy within the civil service, emphasizing the importance of reconfiguring and modernizing existing practices. He also highlighted key reform initiatives, including revitalizing the OHCS, enhancing tools for driving reforms, and revamping the OHCS website for increased interactivity.

Other notable reforms mentioned by Dr. Aggrey included enhancing the Civil Service Award Scheme, improving conditions of service, and upgrading the Civil Service Training School (CSTC). He stressed the importance of a comprehensive review of the Civil Service Act to ensure its relevance and effectiveness.

Dr. Aggrey concluded by emphasizing the importance of collaboration with the OHCS to create a vibrant and effective Civil Service. He expressed his belief that these efforts would lead to significant progress for the nation, with a promising future.

Adding his voice to the occasion, Hon. Ignatius Baffour, the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, congratulated Dr. Aggrey on his new role. The Minister shared his changed perspective on Civil Servants, highlighting the dedication and excellence of many Civil Servants. He dispelled the notion that Civil Servants were lazy and commended their hard work.

However, the Minister did express concern about a laidback attitude among some staff and urged Dr. Aggrey to address this issue, ensuring that underperforming staff receive support for improvement while rewarding those who excel.