“Digital revolution is not cming, it is already here” – Julius Debrah charges Civil Service to lead AI

The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah has urged Ghana’s Civil Service to take charge of the country’s digital transformation, declaring that “the digital revolution is not coming, it is already here.”

Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the climax of the 2025 Civil Service Week and 2024 Awards Ceremony in Accra, Mr. Debrah challenged civil servants to lead the charge in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and e-Governance reforms.

Held under the theme “Adapting to Automation, Artificial Intelligence and E-Governance: The Civil Service in Contemporary Ghana,” the event brought together public sector leaders, private sector players, and development partners at the Alisa Hotel to celebrate service excellence.

Mr. Debrah praised the professionalism of civil servants, describing them as “the invisible hand” behind the success of government policies. He stressed the need for ethical leadership, innovation, and accountability in the public service.

Highlighting reforms such as the launch of Ghana’s National AI Strategy, the “One Million Coders” initiative, and the renaming of the Communications Ministry to the Ministry of Digital Technology and Innovations, he said these efforts signal government’s commitment to a future-ready Civil Service.

Calling for the institutionalisation of the Civil Service Awards, he said recognising excellence would inspire a culture of meritocracy and improved performance.

“You must lead this transformation,” he told civil servants. “The future will not wait.”

On his part, Head of the Civil Service, Dr. Evans Aggrey-Darkoh, lauded the unwavering dedication and professionalism of Ghana’s civil servants, urging them to remain committed to excellence as the country transitions into a more digital and citizen-focused governance structure.

Dr. Aggrey-Darkoh praised public sector workers who have gone above and beyond in delivering their mandate, describing the evening as a celebration of “excellence, unwavering dedication, and remarkable service.”

“Our presence here tonight underscores the importance we collectively place on recognising and honouring those who exemplify the highest standards of public service,” he stated.

He expressed profound appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for his continued support for the Civil Service, describing the President’s vision of a responsive and citizen-centred public sector as inspiring.

“His vision of a modern, citizen-centered governance system has challenged us all to raise the bar of public service,” Dr. Aggrey-Darkoh emphasized.

The theme, Dr. Aggrey-Darkoh noted, was timely and critical in guiding the Service toward embracing digital tools while maintaining the irreplaceable value of the human element in governance.

He noted that events such as policy dialogues and public lectures during the week highlighted the need for investment in infrastructure, capacity building, and a robust regulatory framework to harness the benefits of digital transformation in the public sector.

Highlighting the essence of the Civil Service Week, the Head of Service outlined several key objectives, including celebrating hardworking staff, promoting public trust, building unity, and fostering collaboration with the private sector.

The 2025 celebration featured a variety of activities including inter-ministerial sports tournaments, a “Know the Civil Service” quiz, a float and press launch, a community clean-up exercise, inter-faith thanksgiving services, a policy fair, a cooking competition, and other staff engagement events.

“Each activity was intentionally curated to reinforce our shared values of unity, teamwork, and collective purpose,” Dr. Aggrey-Darkoh said.

He emphasized that the Awards Ceremony was not just about recognition but served as a moment of reflection for the entire service to assess achievements and gaps during the 2024 performance year.

He also encouraged Chief Directors and Heads of Departments to take the awards nomination process seriously to ensure deserving staff receive the recognition they merit.

To the awardees, he said: “You have exhibited exceptional competence, leadership, dedication, and a steadfast commitment to excellence in your respective roles. Your efforts form a critical part of Ghana’s developmental success.”

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith