President John Dramani Mahama’s address to newly appointed Deputy Ministers underscored the critical importance of time management and a sense of urgency in fulfilling the government’s four-year mandate. He highlighted the contrasting perceptions of time between political appointees and career civil servants, emphasizing the need to bridge this gap for effective governance and the successful implementation of government programs. Mahama likened the situation to hearing two distinct clocks: the “fast clock” of the four-year electoral cycle, which drives the agenda of political leaders, and the “relaxed clock” of the civil service, governed by tenure and the long-term perspective of retirement. This difference in temporal orientation, he argued, could potentially hinder the government’s ability to deliver on its promises to the Ghanaian people if not properly addressed.
The President elaborated on this temporal dichotomy, explaining that elected officials operate under the constant pressure of a limited timeframe. Their actions are dictated by the knowledge that their performance will be judged by the electorate in the next election. This inherent accountability to the public necessitates a focused and expeditious approach to governance. Every day counts towards achieving their goals and fulfilling the promises made during the campaign. In contrast, civil servants, with their job security and established career paths, operate on a longer timeline, culminating in retirement at age 60. This inherent stability, while beneficial for institutional continuity, can sometimes lead to a slower pace of work and a less urgent approach to tasks.
Mahama cautioned that this disparity in time perception could create a disconnect between the political leadership’s drive for rapid progress and the civil service’s more measured pace. He stressed that this disparity, if left unaddressed, could impede the government’s ability to effectively implement its programs and deliver tangible results to the citizenry within the allotted four-year timeframe. This, he argued, could ultimately undermine the government’s credibility and erode public trust. The President, therefore, called upon his newly appointed Deputy Ministers to act as a bridge between these two worlds, fostering a shared understanding of the urgency of the government’s agenda.
The central challenge, as articulated by President Mahama, lies in motivating the civil service to adopt the “fast clock” mentality and align their work pace with the urgency of the government’s four-year mandate. He urged the Deputy Ministers to inspire and incentivize public servants to embrace the same sense of urgency that drives political leaders. This, he suggested, could be achieved through effective communication, clear performance expectations, and recognition of exemplary work. By fostering a collaborative and results-oriented environment, the Deputy Ministers could effectively leverage the expertise and experience of the civil service to accelerate the implementation of government programs.
The President’s call for a unified sense of purpose extends beyond simply aligning work pace. It emphasizes the importance of shared ownership of the government’s agenda. By ensuring that civil servants understand the broader vision and the specific goals of the government, the Deputy Ministers can foster a sense of collective responsibility for achieving these objectives. This shared understanding of the government’s priorities is crucial for effective implementation and ultimately for delivering tangible results for the Ghanaian people. Furthermore, it strengthens the partnership between the political leadership and the civil service, creating a more cohesive and effective governing apparatus.
In essence, President Mahama’s message to his Deputy Ministers was a call for leadership, collaboration, and a shared understanding of the urgency of their mission. He urged them to be catalysts for change within the government machinery, bridging the gap between the “fast clock” of political expediency and the “relaxed clock” of bureaucratic procedure. By motivating and inspiring the civil service to embrace the urgency of the government’s four-year mandate, the Deputy Ministers could play a pivotal role in ensuring the successful implementation of government programs and the fulfillment of promises made to the people of Ghana. This, he emphasized, was the key to achieving success and building public trust.
