23/06/2026
WORLD PUBLIC SERVICE DAY 2026 - PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS REFORM
Picture this, the Minister of Internal Affairs directs a senior civil servant in the Immigration Department to fast track the processing of certain immigration applications. The civil servant refuses, insisting that established procedures and regulations must be followed. What begins as a professional disagreement soon escalates into a conflict that could result in the transfer, demotion, or sidelining of the official. In the absence of an independent mechanism to review the matter fairly, the civil servant may be perceived as being punished simply for upholding the rules.
It was against this backdrop that Mr. Augustine Sahr Sheku, one of the panelists, spoke extensively about institutional conflicts that affect efficiency in the public service, particularly the tensions that often arise between professional civil servants and politicians. He noted that while the minister serves as the political head of a ministry, the permanent secretary is the administrative head. This distinction, however, does not always prevent conflicts over authority and responsibility.
Drawing from shared experiences among the panelists, he observed that power struggles between these institutional heads are common across many ministries. Such conflicts frequently lead to the transfer, sidelining, or demotion of public officials, creating an environment of uncertainty within the public service. According to him, this undermines the security and protection that civil servants need to perform their duties effectively and efficiently.
Mr. Sheku stressed the importance of establishing strong institutions that can safeguard civil servants from undue political interference. Without such protection, public officials may remain vulnerable to manipulation and arbitrary actions by political actors. Strengthening institutional mechanisms, he argued, is essential for promoting professionalism, accountability, and meaningful public service reform.