The head of the Ghana Civil Service, Dr Evans Aggrey-Darkoh, has called for a more agile, innovative and accountable civil service to drive government’s “reset agenda” for sustainable national development.

Speaking at the official launch of the 2026 Civil Service Week Celebration and the 2025 Civil Service Award Ceremony in Accra, Dr. Aggrey-Darkoh said the week provides an opportunity to celebrate staff, showcase the work of the service, and strengthen partnerships.

“Today marks yet another significant milestone in the history of the Ghana Civil Service. As we once again come together to celebrate our achievement, reflect on our responsibilities and reaffirm in clear and unambiguous terms our commitment to serving the people of Ghana with professionalism, integrity and excellence,” he stated.

Dr Aggrey-Darkoh noted that the celebration comes at a time when the nation is pursuing significant reforms aimed at restoring economic stability and strengthening public institutions.

He said these aspirations demand “a civil service that is agile, that is adaptive, that is innovative, that is responsive, that is accountable, that is capable of delivering results, not just great targets, results.”

The Head of Service also disclosed that government is seeking a review of the Civil Service Act, 1993 (PNDCL 327) which currently governs the service. 

“The civil service itself, as enshrined in the Civil Service Act 1993, and I must say that we are seeking a review of this Act. It was enacted in 1993... But until that is done, we have an Act which is enforced as a core objective of assisting the government in the formulation and implementation of public policies,” he said.

Highlighting key reforms, Dr. Aggrey-Darkoh said the Civil Service has made significant strides in ICT and digital governance including the digitization of over 10,000 land records at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, improved passport services, and the rollout of electronic correspondence management systems across ministries.

He also announced capacity-building initiatives in Artificial Intelligence (AI) including a ministerial AI bootcamp organized with the UNDP for ministers and senior officials from 23 ministries.

“Artificial intelligence is not intended to replace the work of a civil service staff. Rather, it is a strategic tool that enhances productivity, improves efficiency, and enables officers to focus on high-value tasks requiring human technical development, creativity and leadership,” he explained.

On the economy, he said the service is supporting government’s fiscal reforms including amendments to the Public Financial Management Act 2016 and the Public Procurement Act 2003 to strengthen fiscal discipline and prevent unapproved financial obligations.

“Ensuring fiscal discipline. Improving expenditure controls and preventing areas of inflation. Enhancing transparency in public financial management,” he said.

This year’s theme is “Bridging the Reset Agenda for Sustainable Development in Ghana: The Civil Service Responsibility”.

Dr Aggrey-Darkoh said the theme recognizes that “sustainable national development cannot be achieved without a professional, innovative and result-oriented civil service”.

“This year's theme, therefore, challenges each one of us to embrace innovation, to uphold dignity, strengthen accountability and continuously improve service delivery in support of government's sustainable development agenda,” he concluded.

The week will also feature a civil service award ceremony which is grounded in Section 88 of the Civil Service Law to recognize staff for their meritorious performance.