Chief Justice questions management of state institutions over past eight years
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has questioned how Ghana’s state institutions were managed over the past eight years, citing what he described as the improved performance of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF).
He said the progress recorded by some state institutions under the current administration raised questions about how public resources had been managed in previous years.
“Sometimes when we hear how well some state organisations are doing now, we wonder what we really have been doing in the past eight years,” he said.
Mr Baffoe-Bonnie made the remarks during a courtesy visit to MIIF, following a visit to SSNIT earlier in the day.
He said information presented during the visit to SSNIT was particularly striking, given that the institution had previously considered selling some of its key assets.
“The kind of things that we heard and what we were told, if you compare that to the fact that not too long ago, SSNIT was preparing to sell its prized assets like Labadi Pleasure Beach, you wonder how Ghana could have sunk so low,” he said.
According to the Chief Justice, the improved performance of the institutions demonstrates the importance of proper management, prudent use of public resources and a commitment to serving the public interest.
“I think maybe you have achieved all this through proper management and the use of resources and the recognition of the fact that we are not here for ourselves,” he said.
He urged managers of state institutions to focus on the legacy they would leave behind, stressing that public office comes with a responsibility to serve the people.
“Whatever we should aim at is how we want to be remembered for the stewardship that we were given,” he said.
Mr Baffoe-Bonnie also encouraged public officials to put citizens at the centre of their work, drawing on the judiciary’s approach to public service.
“We at the judiciary always say that power is for the people. The judicial power emanates from the people. We only exercise that power on their behalf. So whatever we do, we should have them in mind,” he said.
He said the quality of public service delivery begins from a citizen’s first interaction with an institution.
“Justice actually starts from when the processes are filed,” he said.
The Chief Justice explained that even the conduct of frontline staff could shape a citizen’s perception of the institution and the services it provides.
“Even the receptionist who receives you, how he talks to you will give you an impression as to whether justice is going to be delivered or not,” he said.
Mr Baffoe-Bonnie further urged the management of MIIF to contribute to the success of President John Dramani Mahama’s development agenda.
He said the President’s decision to appoint individuals to leadership positions reflected confidence in their ability to deliver on their mandate.
“If the old man has decided that you are the right person to be in this position out of the 30 million people, it means he has a lot of confidence in you. And so we should do everything to make sure that his agenda succeeds,” he said.
The Chief Justice congratulated MIIF on its performance and urged management to sustain the progress.
“I will congratulate you and encourage you to continue whatever has brought the success so far. Two per cent has yielded so much. I don’t know how well—we don’t know the value of two per cent—but you have done marvellously well,” he said.
