Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff, has underscored the vital link between civil service reforms and the successful implementation of the government’s 24-Hour Economy agenda.

 He emphasised that while political will was crucial, the programme’s success lay on the shoulders of the civil service.

The Chief of Staff was speaking at the inaugural workshop for the 24-Hour Economic and Accelerated Export Programme in Accra.

The event was held on the theme: “Mobilising Government Machinery for Whole of Government Delivery,” highlighting the role of various sectors such as the civil service, private sector, and development partners in the success of the programme.  

According to the Chief of Staff, the civil service was the anchor of continuity for the long-term 24-Hour Agenda. 

He pointed out that unlike political leadership, which changes with electoral cycles, the civil service provided the institutional memory that preserved knowledge, records, and processes, ensuring continuity across decades. 

Mr. Debrah cited countries like Singapore, South Korea, and Malaysia as examples where political leadership provided the vision, but it was the civil service that operationalised it and institutionalised reforms.

The Chief of Staff highlighted the civil service’s role as the engine of policy integration. 

“The 24-Hour Agenda cuts across multiple sectors, including energy, trade, agriculture, industry, transport, health, education, finance, security, and local government,” he said. 

He stated that without integration and collaboration among Ministries and Agencies, the policy risked fragmentation. 

The Chief of Staff noted that for the Ghanaian, the promise for a 24-hour economy was not embodied by the President or a Minister but by the civil servant they encountered at the port, hospital, or border. 

He said the civil service must adapt to the policy by embracing efficiency, responsiveness, and accountability.

He said the 24-Hour Agenda would not succeed through pronouncements or directives alone; however, it would succeed because the civil service provided the continuity, collaboration, innovation, and accountability to turn the vision into reality.