Public Service Appointments: Where Should Politics End and Expertise Begin——Economist, Dr. John Kwakye has sparked a debate over the mode of public service appointments undertaken by successive presidents arguing for a balance between politicians and technocrats.
The Director of Research of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) believes there is a need for blend in the appointments made into public institutions.
Dr. Kwakye says it is about time appointments into certain public sector institutions be devoid of political coloration but with an emphasis on competence and technical proficiency.
In a post on X, cited by 24 Hour Economy Ghana, the economists vehemently oppose the takeover of all public institutions by politicians through appointments without recourse to technocrats.
To blend the appointments, he is proposing that while ministries can be headed by politicians, head of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and regulatory bodies of the state should only be headed by technocrats with specialized expertise.
Appointing political loyalists who may not possess the required expertise when there is a change in government, Dr. Kwakye argues is the cause of the weakened governance structures, economic instability, and widespread institutional efficiency.
“Public appointments should have a balance between elected politicians and unelected technocrats. Ministers can be politicians. But CEOs of SOEs and regulatory bodies, such as the central bank and accountable institutions, should ideally be technocrats,” the Director of Research at the IEA maintained.
The sentiments of Dr. Kwakye have earlier been expressed by the Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. The veteran journalist has bemoaned the appointment virtually politicians at all levels without regard to non-NDC members who have the expertise.
According to him, the practice which has become a convention in the country at every change in government is “nonsense” and “anti-national” calling for a paradigm shift in the practice.
His stance buttresses Dr. Kwakye’s argument that placing competent technocrats at the helm of regulatory bodies and state enterprises ensures efficiency, continuity, and sound decision-making. Technocrats, by virtue of their training and experience, are better positioned to manage institutions with the long-term interests of the country in mind rather than short-term political gains.
This approach, he argues, would enhance investor confidence, improve regulatory oversight, and foster sustainable economic growth.
Dr. Kwakye’s recommendation, thankfully, does not entirely exclude politicians from public appointments but rather suggests a structured balance. He calls for a hybrid approach where political leadership sets policy direction through ministries while technocrats handle execution could optimize governance.
For instance, ministers, as elected representatives, can set policy priorities, but the execution of those policies should be entrusted to professionals with technical expertise.
Last Updated on March 24, 2025 by Senel Media
