A human resource practitioner, Mrs Florence Hutchful, addressing human resource management practitioners and managers in Accra yesterday, urged the commission, which is responsible for recruiting staff into the Public Service, to use modern selection methods, such as career direct systems, psychometric tests and assessment, for selecting applicants.

The occasion was the fourth conference and annual general meeting of the human resource management practitioners and managers’ network in the Public Service.

 The conference was on the theme: “Effective human resource management: A driving force in organisational change, innovation and productivity in the Public Service”.

Increasing productivity

Mrs Hutchful, who is the Managing Partner of 2MB Consulting Services Limited, a private company, said research had shown that an organisation could increase its productivity by 30 per cent by recruiting the right people into the right roles in the Public Service.

“At the heart of an effective human resource management function are the people working in that organisation to execute plans and programmes which help the organisation accomplish its mission,” she stated.

She urged the participants to be strategic partners of their organisations by adopting and exhibiting high professional standards and establishing personal credibility.

“You should build your personal credibility with the leadership and staff by being knowledgeable about the functions of your ministry or agency and be abreast of all issues, especially those relating to staff,” she said.

“Be at the forefront”

In a speech read on his behalf, the Vice-Chairman of the PSC, Dr Lawrence A. Kannae, said effective human resource practices enhanced organisational performance by attracting, identifying and retaining employees with knowledge, skills and abilities.

"HR practitioners need to be at the forefront of building and strengthening capacity and competences that can give the Public Service an impetus for innovation, creativity and transformation which are currently lacking in the service," he added.

In his address, the Managing Director of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), Mr Daniel Asiedu, said there was the need for a stir up in the country’s public sector workforce and a push towards innovation and creativity.

“Public servants must rise up to the occasion to embrace the constant change and innovation required for success in this new age. We need an innovative and creative service to help transform the natural resources into value-added products to boost revenue generation,” he said.

Promote peace

In a peace message prior to the December polls, a member of the National Executive Committee of the PSC, Mr Isaac Akrofi, urged human resource practitioners and managers to promote peace among employees.