Paul Acquah
Governor, Bank of Ghana
Focus: Reconciling Economic Policy and Institution-Building Goals, Getting the News Out/Managing Expectations, Civil Service
Topics: Computerization of Records, Civil Service Recruitment, Downsizing
Keywords: training, recruitment, downsizing, computerization, monetary policy, managing inflation, institutional restructuring, institutional culture reform
Interviewer(s): Itumeleng Makgetla
Country of Reform: Ghana
Location: Accra, Ghana
Date: Fri Sep 18 2009
Abstract
Paul Acquah discusses his work in reforming and refocusing the Central Bank of Ghana. He outlines his goals to focus the Central Bank on inflation targeting and to shift emphasis from accounting to economics. Acquah details his success in restructuring and streamlining the organization and reforming its institutional culture, particularly by trimming down the staff, making selection procedures more competitive, and computerizing and mechanizing many jobs. He discusses the success and challenges of a voluntary departure program to cut down excess staff and the role of communication with the government and public in building credibility and support for reform.
