Accra, Aug. 30, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday swore in five new members of the Public Services Commission and asked them to help to fashion the Service to share in the Government's vision of making the private sector the real engine of growth of the national economy.

They were Dr Sebastian Koung Bemile; Professor Samuel Sefa-Dedeh, Dr Kobina Quansah, Ms Abla Kormega and Mr George Owusu. They took the Oaths of Office and Secrecy.

With this, the Commission that serves as the central personnel agency of the Government now has a total membership of seven and is left with two more appointments to hit the full complement. President Kufuor said his government had undertaken to nurture and promote the development of the private sector.

It was, therefore, important to have a Public or Civil Service that was responsive and had the flair to relate to the sector in a way that would enhance its performance, he said, adding that the Public Service should not be too distant from the private sector.

President Kufuor said it was for this reason that a multi-dimensional character had been infused into the Commission by bringing on board private sector captains, academicians and former Chief Directors of the Civil and Public Service.

President Kufuor asked the members to work closely with the Ministry for Public Sector Reforms to bring the needed transformation for efficient running of the ship of State. He acknowledged that the task ahead of the Commission would be challenging and involving and expressed his confidence in the members to prove equal to it.

Dr Bemile on behalf of his colleagues said they were grateful for the honour to serve the nation.

He noted that more would be needed to make the Public Service efficient and cost effective but pledged that they would live up to expectation.

Dr Bemile said they could falter at certain times and asked that if that happened they would cherish constructive criticism. Professor Samuel N. Wood, Chairman of the Commission and Mrs Janet Ampadu-Fofie, the others members, have already been sworn in.