The Open Government Partnership (OGP) Ghana Secretariat under the leadership of the Minister of State, for Public Sector Reform Hon. Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba has convened a strategic meeting with the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation to deliberate on Ghana’s efforts to combat misinformation and disinformation. The meeting forms part of Ghana’s efforts to implement the commitment under the 5^th  OGP National Action Plan .

The discussions centered on the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation’s ongoing process to draft a Bill on misinformation and disinformation, and the need to align it with Ghana’s OGP obligations.

Hon. Akanvariba noted that as a collaborating Ministry in the implementation of this commitment, the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation plays a central role in ensuring that the legislation reflects the principles of transparency, inclusivity, and citizen participation.

She emphasized the importance of collaboration in the drafting process, underscoring the need to ensure that the proposed Bill meets both “Ghana’s national interests and international obligations under the OGP framework.”

The Director, General Administration and Point of Contact, OGP Ghana, Mrs. Thelma Ohene-Asiamah, also delivered a presentation to the participants introducing them to the OGP concept, Ghana’s commitments, and the progress made so far. The presentation highlighted Ghana’s role in the global OGP community and focused on the specific commitment to tackling misinformation and disinformation, under the 5^th National Action Plan.

In response, the Deputy Minister of Communications Digital Technology and Innovation, Hon, Mohammed Adams Sakparu affirmed his Ministry’s commitment to working closely with the OGP Ghana Office  to ensure the Bill is developed through a consultative process. He noted that the draft was  still at the research and information-gathering stage, and assured participants that once a working draft was ready, it will be shared with the OGP Ghana Secretariat for review and alignment with OGP processes.

Ms. Mary Addah, the Co-Chair, OGP National Steering Committee and the Executive Director of Transparency International-Ghana, explained the critical role of Civil Society and Citizens consultation to the OGP processes.  She urged the Ministry to collaborate with collaborating  Civil Society Organisations to secure citizen ownership and support for the Bill.

Hon. Sakparu reiterated his Ministry’s commitment to bringing on board all relevant Agencies, Civil Society actors, and other stakeholders to ensure broad consultation and safeguard citizens’ best interests.

Inauguration of Technical Committee for National Public Sector Reform Strategy (2025–2029)

The Public Sector Reform Secretariat (PSRS) has inaugurated a Technical Committee to finalize the next phase of Ghana’s National Public Sector Reform Strategy (NPSRS), which will run from 2025 to 2029. The new five-year strategy aims to deliver a more efficient, citizen-centered, and accountable public service.

Leading the inauguration, the Minister of State for Public Sector Reforms, Hon. Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a modern public sector that addresses the evolving needs of Ghanaians. She noted that the upcoming strategy will adopt a more coherent and long-term approach, building on lessons from the 2018–2023 reform efforts.

The committee, comprising representatives from government, academia, and civil society, has been given a four-month deadline to complete the strategy. The revised plan will align with national development priorities and integrate stakeholder feedback to ensure actionable and sustainable reforms across all levels of the public service.

Vice Chair of the Committee, Professor Justice Nyigmah Bawole, emphasized the importance of purpose-driven reform and the need to reorient civil servants towards citizen-focused service delivery. The strategy will also include plans for retraining public officers and instilling a renewed sense of duty.

Once finalized, the NPSRS 2025–2029 will serve as the national blueprint guiding public sector reforms through the end of the decade.

Inauguration of Technical Coordinating Group for Gender Strategy Implementation

The Public Sector Reform Secretariat (PSRS) has officially inaugurated the Technical Coordinating Group (TCG) to lead the implementation of the Comprehensive Gender Strategy for the Public Sector (CGSPS) 2024–2028. This marks a major step toward accelerating gender equity in Ghana’s public sector.

The inauguration ceremony, held at the PSRS Conference Room, was led by the Minister of State for Public Sector Reforms, Hon. Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba (MP), who also chairs the Group.

 In her keynote address, she emphasized the need to break systemic gender barriers, create inclusive workspaces, and promote equal leadership opportunities for all.

Developed under the Public Sector Reform for Results Project with technical support from PwC Ghana, the CGSPS targets issues such as policy inconsistencies, weak coordination, and low prioritization of gender mainstreaming. It aligns with the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121), and sets out clear goals including gender balance in staffing, inclusive service delivery, capacity-building, and improved accountability through measurable indicators.

The TCG, made up of representatives from key government institutions and civil society, will drive implementation by developing guidelines, mobilizing resources, and coordinating strategic actions. The Minister urged the Group to fast-track deliverables and ensure strong public engagement through digital platforms and awareness campaigns.

Committee Vice Chair, Mrs. Elizabeth Obeng-Yeboah of the Office of the Head of Civil Service, advocated for more frequent meetings to meet the Strategy’s ambitious goals. She affirmed the Group’s dedication to aligning the Strategy with existing laws and driving impactful results.

The CGSPS is expected to set a new standard for gender-inclusive governance in Ghana’s public sector.

On Tuesday, 15^th April 2025, the Principal Advisor on Emerging Issues, Open Government Partnership (OGP), Mr. Joseph Foti from Washington DC paid a working visit to Ghana’s OGP to learn and understand the implementation of activities in line with achieving the key commitments in the 5^th National Action Plan (NAP-5) and to provide the necessary support needed. The visit which coincided with the maiden OGP Steering Committee meeting was held at the conference room of the Public Sector Reform Secretariat (PSRS). 

The Principal Advisor engaged with some members of the OGP Steering Committee. Present at the meeting were the chairman, Hon. Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, Member of Parliament (MP) for Tempane Constituency and Minister of State, Public Sector Reforms; the co-chair, Madam Mary Awelana Addah, Executive Director, Transparency International Ghana; and Hon. Emmanuel Bedzrah, MP for Ho West Constituency and Coordinator of the OGP Caucus in Parliament.

Other members of the Steering Committee present were Dr. Eric Oduro Osae, Director-General, Internal Audit Agency; Mrs. Thelma Ohene-Asiamah, Director at PSRS and OGP Point of Contact; Dr Stephen Manteaw, Co-Chair, Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative; Ms. Mina Mensah, Director Africa, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative Africa Office; Mrs. Lucille Hewlett Annan, Commission Secretary, National Commission for Civic Education; Dr. Winifred Nafisa Mahama, Acting Director, Information Services Department; Dr. Alex Amankwah -Poku, Head of Budget Development, Ministry of Finance; Mr. Henry Mnomey, Legal Officer, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice; Mr. Prince Selikem K. Kulevome, Director, Career Management and Development, Office of the Head of Civil Service; and Mr. Joseph Abbey, Director, Policy Planning, Budgeting, Monitoring and Evaluation, PSRS;

Also present were Mr. Denis Gyeyir, Africa Senior Program Officer, Natural Resource Governance Institute; Mr. Mohammed Tajudeen Abdulai, Program Officer, SEND Ghana; and Ms. Esther Ahulu, Program Manager, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative/Right to Information Coalition.

In her opening remarks, Hon. Lamisi Akanvariba, was honoured to receive the Principal Advisor to Ghana for a discussion on what the OGP had been engaged in within the period regarding the implementation of the commitments in the NAP-5. “I am committed to advancing transparency, harnessing technology and innovation, fostering civic participation, and strengthening accountability in governance”, she said.

The Minister of State together with the co-chair jointly indicated that they were committed to spearheading the OGP agenda in 2025 and beyond by working closely with members of the OGP Steering Committee to set a positive image in innovation, openness and establish reforms across public institutions in Ghana.

She intimated that the visit evidenced the pivotal role that Ghana was playing in the Global OGP community.  

Mr. Joseph Foti on his part, extended his heartfelt gratitude for the warm reception. He indicated that the Global OGP was excited about Ghana’s progress and effort towards the implementation and achievement of the key commitments in the NAP-5. According to him, the visit was to learn about the key priorities and challenges associated with the implementation of the NAP-5. He was glad to hear that Ghana’s OGP had played a critical role, achieved notable successes and had become a leader within the regional body of the OGP.

Members of the Steering Committee shared brief comments and provided relevant information on efforts being put in place by the implementing agencies with support from the CSOs towards the achievement of the various commitments in the NAP-5.

The issues regarding key challenges associated with the implementation of NAP-5 was expressed by members of the OGP Steering Committee. Key among such challenges was mobilizing resources (financial and technical) towards achieving the commitments in the NAP-5. Some of the members suggested further lobbying should be done at various levels for the funding of OGP activities so that Ghana could achieve all the commitments contained in the NAP-5.

The discussions ended fruitfully with the call on OGP Ghana to continue its efforts at providing the necessary support towards achieving the NAP-5 and possibly hosting the next regional OGP summit in Ghana.