The Civil and Local Government Staff Association (CLOGSAG) has strongly rejected a key recommendation by the Constitution Review Committee (CRC) to make the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) an independent body.
The Committee argues that granting the CAGD autonomy would enhance efficiency and effectiveness in public financial management. However, CLOGSAG insists the move would undermine the supervisory authority of the Ministry of Finance, which currently oversees the Department’s operations.
Speaking at a news conference on March 4, Executive Secretary of CLOGSAG, Isaac Bampoe Addo, warned that the proposal risks disrupting established administrative structures and accountability mechanisms within Ghana’s public financial management system.
“Like all public organisations in Ghana, the proposal for Parliament to exercise oversight over the performance of the Controller and Accountant-General through its relevant committee in accordance with law is welcome,” he said. “However, the Ministry of Finance should remain the bona fide body to exercise ministerial oversight over the activities of the CAGD.”
Instead of granting independence to the Department, Mr. Bampoe Addo proposed the establishment of a Fiscal Responsibility Council to strengthen financial discipline and oversight.
“What Ghana requires is not an independent Controller and Accountant-General that could create bureaucratic hurdles for the smooth operation of the Ministry of Finance,” he stated. “Rather, Ghana requires an independent Fiscal Responsibility Council that would ensure accountability of both the Finance Ministry and the CAGD in public financial management.”
CLOGSAG also dismissed another recommendation by the CRC to grant the Council of State the authority to nominate, vet, and recommend to the President the appointment of the Head of Civil Service.
“We object to the CRC proposal that the Council of State shall recruit, vet, and make binding nominations to the President for appointment of the Head of Civil Service with the assistance of the Public Services Commission,” Mr. Bampoe Addo said.
He further suggested removing the special appointment arrangement under Article 193(1) of the Constitution, which requires the President to appoint the Head of Civil Service acting on the advice of the Public Services Commission.
“We recommend aligning this appointment with the general framework under Article 195 governing public service appointments,” he added, arguing that the President should not be directly involved in the process.
Meanwhile, a lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School, Dr. Daniel Appiah, has also backed calls for the CRC to reconsider its recommendation.
“We believe that the Constitution Review Committee should have a second look at the recommendation in order not to deepen the bureaucratic systems in the governance structure,” he said.
The debate over the future structure and oversight of the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department is expected to intensify as stakeholders continue to weigh in on the CRC’s proposals.
By Daniel Opoku
