The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has declared its commitment to ensuring the neutrality of the Civil Service if voted into power on December 7, 2024.

The party regards the Civil Service as the repository of institutional memory and, thus, pledges to protect civil servants from all forms of interference that impede their work.

This pledge was made when the NDC's 2024 Manifesto Team met with the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG) in Accra on Thursday. The meeting was part of a series of engagements with various professional groups to solicit policy ideas for the NDC's 2024 Manifesto.

At the meeting, CLOGSAG expressed concerns over political interference in the Service, which they believe undermines the ability of civil servants to execute their constitutional mandate effectively and without fear or favor. Consequently, the Association has asked the NDC to commit to and outline measures in the Party's 2024 Manifesto that would guarantee the neutrality of the Civil Service.

Mr. Augustus Goosie Tanoh, a member of the NDC's Manifesto Team, affirmed the party's belief in the capacity of the Civil Service to deliver on its mandate in the national interest. He assured that a future NDC government would ensure the neutrality of civil servants. He also stated that the party would improve the conditions of service for civil servants and ensure their full participation in the formulation of government policies.

"Politicians and governments come and go, but the institutional memory of government resides in the Civil Service. Therefore, every government must consider improving the Service in terms of its capacity, innovative power, ability to respond to the public, integrity, and conditions of service as one of its principal considerations. These are key components that you will see in our manifesto," Mr. Tanoh explained.

"In our new dispensation to serve Ghana, we will return to our history of ensuring that workers have a voice in policymaking and implementation," he added.

Mr. Isaac Bampoe Addo, Executive Secretary of CLOGSAG, commented that the infiltration of the Civil Service by political actors affects the work of civil servants. "There should be a clause in your manifesto that, when the NDC comes to power, they will uphold the principles of permanent neutrality. It is very dear to us," he stated.

CLOGSAG has requested the NDC to review the current decentralization structure and build a workable system that ensures the independence of local government. Regarding pensions, the Association has asked the NDC to develop a plan to build economic reserves to cover the years 2027 and 2028, cautioning that the economy could collapse during that period if such reserves are not created.

Furthermore, the Association urged the NDC team to prioritize the conditions of service for civil servants and address shortfalls in the pension scheme.