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The Office of the Head of Civil Service (OHCS), Ghana, has launched the Civil Service Week Celebration and the 2024 Civil Service Awards — a ceremony aimed at honouring hardworking civil servants across the country.
The launch, which took place in Accra yesterday, sought to recognise the strategic importance of civil servants in national development, commend their dedication and selfless service, and deepen public trust in the Civil Service.
This year’s celebration is scheduled to run from July 16 to 25, with a range of activities including a clean-up exercise, health screening, inter-ministerial and agency games, cooking and quiz competitions, a public lecture, food bazaar, policy fair, and exhibitions, among others.
The celebration will culminate in the 2024 Civil Service Awards Ceremony, which will reward outstanding and dedicated staff.
This year’s theme is: “Adapting to Automation, Artificial Intelligence, and E-Governance: The Civil Service in Contemporary Ghana.”
Speaking at the launch, the Head of the Civil Service, Dr Evans Aggrey-Darkoh, underscored the significance of the events, saying it offered “an opportunity for civil service staff to demonstrate their adaptability, engage with the public, foster collaboration, and, most importantly, celebrate the civil service staff.”
Dr Aggrey-Darkoh encouraged civil servants to use the celebration not only to reflect on past achievements but also to recommit to the future and exchange ideas.
“Let us continue to work together – colleagues across Ministries and Departments, partners in the private sector, and the public we serve. Let us leverage the Civil Service Week as a platform to exchange innovative ideas, share best productivity practices, and strengthen the bonds that make our nation strong,” he said.
He added that by working collaboratively, embracing change, and harnessing the power of technology, the Civil Service could support the Government’s transformation agenda and help position Ghana as a beacon of hope in the West African sub-region.
On staff welfare, Dr Aggrey-Darkoh announced that the Civil Service has established the Civil Service Employee Assistance Programme, which is expected to be launched by the end of this month.
“This includes the establishment of Counselling Units at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service and crèches in several institutions including the OHCS and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.
“With the support of the Ghana Psychological Council, the Civil Service Counselling Unit will be officially launched by the end of the month to enable officers to access professional psychosocial support, promoting mental health and emotional resilience,” he stated.
He further explained that the workplace crèches are intended to support working parents — particularly mothers — by providing a safe and convenient childcare option.
These interventions, he said, would help foster a more supportive and productive work environment, enhance staff well-being, reduce stress, and support work-life balance.
Dr Aggrey-Darkoh said that as part of efforts to promote inclusion and equity within the Civil Service, his office — with support from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and Emerging Public Leaders Ghana — is pursuing a Gender Mainstreaming Reform Initiative.
This, he noted, aims to dismantle systemic gender barriers and promote diversity at all levels of the Civil Service.
To support the agenda, the OHCS has trained Gender Desk Officers across ministries and departments and developed a Gender Mainstreaming Standard Operating Procedure to guide implementation.
Additionally, Gender Action Plans have been integrated into the performance agreements of Chief Directors, Heads of Departments, and Gender Desk Officers. All directors are also now required to mentor at least two female officers annually, as part of efforts to strengthen the leadership pipeline for women.
