The Senior Presidential Adviser Yaw Osafo-Marfo yesterday announced that 13 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have benefited from a $24 million Public Sector Reform for Project (PSRRP). According to him, the project has significantly improved operations and service delivery in the target areas since its implementation from 2019-2023.
“The World Bank provided the PSRRP with a credit facility amounting to US$ 35million for which a Financing Agreement was signed on November 12, 2018. The Project was restructured within the period, July-December 2021 which had the amount reduced to US$ 24million to cover thirteen (13) Ministries, Departments, and Agencies,” he said.
He explained that the PSRRP has provided funding to support the implementation of various reform initiatives across the selected MDAs.
The Senior Presidential Advisor made the statement during the Minister’s Press Briefing organized by the Ministry of Information in Accra. He stressed that the project, which was started by the Government in partnership with the World Bank, was intended to enhance accountability and efficiency in some key ministries and agencies between 2019 and 2023.
According to the Senior Presidential Adviser, the funding has enabled the MDAs to undertake significant reforms, including the automation of processes, capacity building, and infrastructure upgrades. He emphasized that the reforms have already started yielding positive results, including improved service delivery and enhanced citizen engagement.
Highlighting some specific key achievements, Mr. Marfo noted that the project had strengthened organisational performance for improved service delivery at the beneficiary institutions including the Public Services Commission (PSC) and the Office of the Head of Civil Service (OHCS) with the establishment of modern video conferencing facilities – an IT-enabled interactive platform that allows the two institutions to virtually engage their stakeholders at their respective locations.
Mr. Marfo noted that the Department of Passport Services’ (DPS) has been supplied with new IT equipment enabling them to print passports in-house and enhance overall efficiency and to address limited printing capacity and outdated equipment. Hon. Osafo-Maafo said the project has significantly improved the passport application ecosystem with the setting up of the new biodata capturing booths which has led to the reduction in the waiting period drastically across the country.
“The DPS has 33 operational offices across the country, all of which have been equipped with the relevant electronic equipment to streamline the passport printing process,” Osafo-Marfo stated.
He cited DVLA, Births and Deaths and CHRAJ as some of the institutions that have benefitted significantly from the project.
He was hopeful that the World Bank would look at supporting another Project to sustain the gains from the PSRRP in view of the usefulness of the Project to the citizenry.
Source: MOI (PR Unit)
