Prof. Stephen Kwaku Azar Asare, a Democracy and Development Fellow at CDD-Ghana, has proposed a mechanism to monitor the performance of government ministries, which he has named the “Operation Monitor All Ministers’ Performance & Accountability Mechanism” (OMAMPAM).
According to Prof. Asare, OMAMPAM is designed to empower citizens by enabling them to track the performance of ministers and hold them accountable.
He indicated that the initiative aims to promote transparency and accountability, and it is expected to be expanded to include State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the future.
“Under OMAMPAM, each minister is assigned Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) upon appointment, which are publicly announced. For example, the Minister of Agriculture may have a KPI to increase food production by 10% within a year. The Minister of Education may be tasked with achieving a specific literacy rate improvement within their term, etc.
“A dedicated mobile application will track, monitor, and report on ministers’ performance, providing citizens with real-time updates and empowering them to hold public officials accountable”.
Prof. Stephen Kwaku Azar Asare
Asare further contended that OMAMPAM introduces a results-driven governance approach with several key benefits.
One of the primary advantages is the promotion of accountability. By establishing public Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), ministers are held directly accountable for their performance.
According to him, this transparency allows citizens to track progress against clearly defined objectives, making it evident which ministers are fulfilling their mandates and which are not.
Prof. Asare indicated that such accountability discourages complacency and cultivates a culture focused on achieving tangible results in governance.
He highlighted that OMAMPAM enhances transparency by making ministers’ activities more visible through publicly available KPIs, thereby reducing opportunities for corruption and inefficiency.
This transparency fosters trust between the government and citizens, which is crucial given the current low levels of public confidence in governance.
Additionally, the mechanism encourages citizen participation by allowing them to monitor and evaluate ministers’ performance actively.
Asare asserted that this participatory approach enables the public to provide feedback, identify gaps, and prompt necessary actions, ensuring a more engaged and responsive governance system. “Empowered citizens can demand better service delivery and policy implementation”.
OMAMPAM to Reward Excellence and Address Ministerial Failures
Furthermore, Prof. Stephen Kwaku Azar Asare emphasized that the OMAMPAM initiative will spotlight successes and reveal failures.
By clearly identifying ministers who excel, the government can appropriately reward high performers.
He pointed out that conversely, it will expose inefficiencies, indicating when underperforming ministers need reassignment or removal.
This mechanism aims to prevent scenarios where ineffective ministers are retained despite public calls for their resignation, which have previously led to negative impacts on the economy.
“Fosters Performance-Oriented Governance; With measurable objectives, ministers focus on achieving tangible results instead of engaging in political theatrics. Government actions are aligned with national development goals, ensuring ministers deliver on their mandates.
“Reduces Political Patronage; By focusing on KPIs, OMAMPAM minimizes the culture of ‘jobs for the boys and girls.’ Ministerial appointments and retention should prioritize competence over political loyalty. Ministers who fail to meet objectives can no longer rely on political connections to stay in office, promoting a meritocratic culture”.
Prof. Stephen Kwaku Azar Asare
He further highlighted that OMAMPAM promotes data-driven decision-making by relying on clear, measurable objectives, which enhance governance through the use of performance metrics.
These metrics enable ministries to identify challenges, allocate resources more effectively, and implement impactful policies.
According to Prof. Asare, the initiative also aligns with global best practices, as seen in successful governments like Rwanda and Singapore, where similar performance systems have yielded significant results.
He indicated that Nigeria’s recent adoption of OMAMPAM has driven progress in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and anti-corruption efforts, demonstrating its effectiveness.
Prof. Asare maintained that by assigning and publicizing KPIs for ministers, Ghana can establish a governance framework that prioritizes results, builds public trust, and sets a foundation for sustainable development.
He stated that OMAMPAM, by promoting transparency, accountability, and active citizen engagement, ensures that the government remains focused on serving the people and fulfilling its commitments. “OMAMPAM isn’t just a framework—it’s a movement for better governance, stronger institutions, and a more prosperous nation”.
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