Accra, June 23, GNA - The failure to tackle the pay management system had been a key reason for steep decline in the performance of the Civil Service, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, Minister of Public Sector Reforms, said on Thursday.

"Instead of laying to rest the pay challenges, the system of perks and allowances that have been fashioned to shore up unsatisfactory Civil Service pay has rather resulted in the creation of great disincentives to efficient performance in the Civil Service."

Dr Nduom, who made a statement in Parliament on the 11th Anniversary of Africa Day of Civil Service and Administration and Civil Service Week, said Civil Servants had continued to provide invaluable service to the country. He said "to achieve the goal of at least 1,000 dollars per capita income level that we have set for ourselves and also accomplish the Millennium Development Goals, it is critical that the Ghana Civil Service receives the attention and resources that it urgently requires".

The Minister called for the development of a human resource framework, which would provide the right organisation, leadership and motivation to the Civil Service. He stressed the need for; "greater focus and resources for training and development, particularly in building leadership and professionalism and a robust performance management system that links reward with performance."

He said there was also the need for commitment within government if the public sector reform were to succeed.