On October 26, 2017, a performance contract signing ceremony with some selected Subvented Agencies took place in Accra. This event was held in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Robert AHOMKA-LINDSAY, the Ambassador of France to Ghana, Mr. François PUJOLAS, the Executive Chairman of the State Enterprises Commission, Mr. Stephen Asamoah BOATENG, the Director of Public Investment Division for Ministry of Finance, Mr. David Klottey COLLISON, the Vice-Rector of Ghana Institute for Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Prof. Philip Duku OSEI and the heads of some selected Subvented Agencies.
More transparency for greater efficiency
This ceremony is part of the French-funded project entitled “Strengthening the accountability of Ghana’s central and local government” which aims to strengthen the implementation of accountability mechanisms in the Ghanaian administration in order to improve the living conditions of the population through a more rational and transparent use of public resources.
“The project “Strengthening the accountability of Ghana’s central and local government” is the result of a long cooperation between France and Ghana in terms of support of reforms initiated by Ghana, particularly in the area of decentralization and the public sector” the Ambassador said.
Therefore, since 2006, three projects of the French Solidarity Project Fund have been implemented in Ghana for a total amount of € 3.2 million.
The implementation of the performance contracts, which aims to improve the delivery of services in the public sector through a rigorous and diligent follow-up of technical and financial operations via these contracts, is the result of a fruitful partnership between French expertise, the State Enterprises Commission (SEC), the Ghana Institute for Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and the Public Sector Reform Secretariat (PSRS).
Several expert missions were conducted for various Subvented Agencies in order to support the formulation and implementation of their performance contracts. Today, six Subvented Agencies were able to sign their contract:
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Energy Commission (EC)
• National Accreditation Board (NAB)
• Sunyani Technical University (STU)
• Ghana Standards Authority (GSA)
• Driver & Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA)
“Ghana and France share the same values of good governance and are of the opinion that a long term sustainable and inclusive growth must rely on two pillars: a dynamic private sector and an efficient public sector. Thus, this signing ceremony is a strong indication of the appropriation of performance management instruments by the Government of Ghana for a more accountable and efficient administration, serving users and citizens”, the Ambassador stated.
France, a strategic partner for Ghanaian public sector reform and development.
France pays particular attention to the governance of Subvented Agencies and that this is part of a larger framework of support for public institutions. Indeed, it also supports State Owned Entreprises (SOEs) through the French Development Agency (AFD) which granted loans to 2 of them: GRIDCO and the Agricultural Development Bank. In July, AFD also organized a workshop on corporate governance for SOEs in order to support and strengthen their capacities and to enable them to access funds without the guarantee of the state and thereby participate in their growth.
France also participates in promoting governance in Ghana through the European Development Fund of which it contributes approximately 18%. Hence, 75 million Euros would be dedicated to support governance, reinforce the decentralization process, public sector reform and promote accountability, for the 2014-2020 period.
Source: French Embassy Accra.
