Ketu North Member of Parliament, Eric Edem Agbana, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the newly appointed heads of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in Ghana.

Mr Agbana emphasised that implementing KPIs is essential to address inefficiencies and enhance accountability within these institutions. 

Speaking on TV3’s New Day programme, Agbana highlighted the absence of measurable performance indicators as a significant factor contributing to inefficiencies and a lack of accountability in SOEs.

He noted that this deficiency hampers the optimization of operations and delays service delivery. Agbana also expressed concern over the prevailing mentality that allows underperforming politically appointed heads to remain in office solely based on party allegiance, regardless of their performance. 

Agbana pointed out that SOEs play a crucial role in governance, economic growth, and service provision, affecting sectors such as education, health, electricity, and national identification. Without well-defined KPIs, assessing their effectiveness becomes challenging, leading to inefficiencies and delays in service delivery.

He advocated for the development of comprehensive, SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) KPIs tailored to each state institution. Regular performance assessments based on these indicators should be conducted, with findings made publicly available to ensure transparency and foster public trust. 

Agbana suggested that institutions meeting or exceeding their KPIs be rewarded to further enhance accountability, while those consistently underperforming should face appropriate consequences.

He also recommended engaging citizens in the assessment process to provide real-time insights into areas needing improvement. Leveraging digital tools to track, analyze, and report on institutional performance was also proposed to promote efficiency and transparency. 

In a related development, Agbana reaffirmed his confidence in President Mahama’s leadership, commending his experience, character, and integrity.

He expressed optimism that the President’s leadership would drive the nation’s development and address challenges facing various sectors, including sports, youth, health, and infrastructure. 

The call for the implementation of KPIs in SOEs reflects a growing recognition of the need for enhanced governance and operational efficiency in Ghana’s public sector.