The Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) has raised concerns about the duplication of functions within the public sector, particularly regarding agencies such as the Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET). The association has appealed to President John Mahama to dissolve these agencies, arguing that their existence overlaps with the traditional functions of the Civil Service and leads to inefficiencies and waste of government resources.
Isaac Bampoe Addo, the Executive Secretary of CLOGSAG, explained that the Civil Service historically performed technical and vocational training as part of its mandate. However, the decision to transfer these functions to new agencies has not only duplicated efforts but also weakened the effectiveness of certain ministries. According to Mr. Bampoe Addo, this restructuring has created unnecessary bureaucracy and has been poorly executed.
He stated, “The President should review the services that have been removed from the Civil Service. These duplications are unnecessary and create roles that add no value. TVET and COTVET, in particular, are redundant. These institutions were established without proper consultation and have become a drain on government resources.”
CLOGSAG’s position highlights a broader issue in Ghana’s public administration—the tendency to create new agencies rather than empowering existing institutions to handle their mandates more effectively. TVET and COTVET were established to enhance the delivery of technical and vocational education in Ghana, with a focus on policy direction, standardization, and oversight. However, CLOGSAG believes that these roles could have been efficiently managed within the Civil Service, which already possessed the capacity to handle them.
For CLOGSAG, the financial implications of maintaining these agencies are particularly troubling. The association argues that the resources allocated to TVET and COTVET could be better utilized to strengthen the Civil Service’s capacity to deliver technical and vocational training. Mr. Bampoe Addo noted that these agencies add unnecessary costs without providing commensurate benefits to the public.
“TVET and COTVET are simply a waste of government resources,” he emphasized. “These institutions were created without proper planning and consultation. Their establishment has added to the government’s financial burden, and their impact has not justified their existence.”
The association also pointed out the negative impact of removing technical and vocational training from the Civil Service on the efficiency of some ministries. Mr. Bampoe Addo argued that the reassignment of these functions has weakened the ability of certain ministries to perform their core duties. This, he said, has led to gaps in service delivery, ultimately affecting the public.
In addition to its call for the dissolution of TVET and COTVET, CLOGSAG has also advocated for the reintroduction of the General Orders policy. The General Orders were a set of guidelines that governed the operations and transactions of the Civil Service, providing a clear framework for decision-making and minimizing the use of personal discretion.
According to Mr. Bampoe Addo, the absence of the General Orders has created inconsistencies in the Civil Service. He explained that without these guidelines, individuals are left to make decisions based on their discretion, which can lead to inefficiency and abuse of power.
“Let’s bring back the General Orders,” he said. “This system provided clear procedures for every transaction within the Service. Now that the General Orders have been discarded, people are acting based on their discretion, which undermines the integrity of the Civil Service. Reinstating the General Orders would restore order and consistency in service delivery.”
CLOGSAG’s appeal to President Mahama comes at a time when the government is already reviewing the structure and operations of various ministries and agencies. The association’s concerns align with broader calls for reform within the public sector to address inefficiencies and reduce waste. The duplication of functions, as seen with TVET and COTVET, is a significant issue that undermines the effectiveness of the public service and places an unnecessary financial burden on the government.
Addressing these challenges will require bold and decisive action. By dissolving TVET and COTVET and reintegrating their functions into the Civil Service, the government could streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve service delivery. Similarly, reinstating the General Orders would provide a clear framework for decision-making and ensure greater transparency and accountability within the Civil Service.
In conclusion, CLOGSAG’s concerns about the duplication of functions and the absence of the General Orders highlight critical issues in Ghana’s public administration. The government must take urgent steps to address these challenges by streamlining operations, reducing waste, and restoring effective systems within the Civil Service. These reforms would not only enhance the efficiency of the public sector but also ensure that resources are used effectively to benefit the people of Ghana.
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The Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) has raised concerns about the duplication of functions within the public sector, particularly regarding agencies such as the Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET). The association has appealed to President John Mahama to dissolve these agencies, arguing that their existence overlaps with the traditional functions of the Civil Service and leads to inefficiencies and waste of government resources.
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