President John Dramani Mahama has emphasised that the successful implementation of Ghana’s proposed 24-hour economy will depend heavily on the efficiency and responsiveness of the country’s public institutions.

Speaking at the opening of the 14th Regional Conference of Public Services International (PSI) in Accra on Wednesday, President Mahama said a round-the-clock economy required strong, well-functioning public systems across key sectors.

“As Ghana moves towards a 24-hour economy, the public service remains the driving force behind this transformation,” he stated.

“A 24-hour economy relies on efficient and responsive public institutions — hospitals that operate around the clock, ports and customs offices that clear goods smoothly and seamlessly, and local assemblies that provide services without obstruction and delay.”

A New Social Agreement

President Mahama noted that achieving the 24-hour economy vision demanded a new social compact between government, labor, and citizens — one based on fairness, productivity, and mutual respect.

He said government’s approach would focus on collaboration with organised labor to develop and implement reforms rather than imposing them unilaterally.

“Genuine reform only succeeds when it is done with workers, and not over them,” he stressed.

Strengthening Public Institutions Under the Reset Agenda

Outlining initiatives under the Reset Agenda, the President said his administration is committed to strengthening the civil and local government services, expanding digital governance, and enforcing performance accountability across ministries, departments, and agencies.

Key reforms, he explained, include:

* The introduction of a new Public Service Performance Management Framework;

* The full operationalization of the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS); and

* A renewed emphasis on training, ethics, and merit-based advancement.

President Mahama underscored that the effectiveness of Ghana’s public service must reflect the core values of justice, fairness, and respect for human dignity.

Public Servants: The True Frontline of National Progress

Reflecting on the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Mahama said the crisis demonstrated that the real frontline of national survival lies not in corporate boardrooms but in hospitals, classrooms, and local government offices.

“These are the people who keep our nation running and united, often with limited resources but endless dedication,” he said. “That is why we must continue to protect, empower, and modernize the public service — not weaken or privatize it.”

He acknowledged the long-standing contributions of Ghana’s public servants — teachers, nurses, engineers, administrators, judges, police officers, and others — whose commitment has sustained the nation’s progress through the years.

“When public services are strong, societies flourish,” the President said. “But when public services fail, inequality deepens, trust erodes, and the foundations of democracy are weakened.”

Conference Theme: Quality Public Service for Dignity

The 14th Regional Conference of Public Services International, held under the theme “Quality Public Service for Dignity,” has brought together public service workers and union leaders from across the region to discuss strategies for strengthening public sector performance and advancing workers’ rights.