The Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) has rejected recommendations by the Constitution Review Committee (CRC) to grant the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) independence from the Ministry of Finance.
At a press briefing in Accra on March 4, CLOGSAG’s Executive Secretary, Mr Bampoe Addo, argued that converting the CAGD into an independent constitutional office could create institutional confusion, weaken fiscal coordination, and introduce unnecessary bureaucratic duplication.
“The mandate of the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department falls squarely within the oversight responsibilities of the Ministry of Finance. Elevating it to an independent status could compromise efficient financial administration,” Mr Addo said.
The union also rejected the CRC’s proposal to involve the Council of State in recruiting and vetting candidates for appointment as Controller and Accountant-General, describing it as inconsistent with established practices that rely on the governing council with institutional memory to make merit-based appointments.
While welcoming the committee’s suggestion for parliamentary oversight of the CAGD through relevant committees, Mr Addo insisted that ministerial supervision by the Ministry of Finance should remain intact.
CLOGSAG extended its opposition to a similar CRC recommendation regarding the appointment of the Head of the Civil Service, advocating instead for alignment with Article 195(1) of the Constitution. This provision allows the President to appoint officers in the Public Service based on advice from the relevant governing council, in consultation with the Public Services Commission.
To strengthen professionalism and meritocracy, Mr Addo proposed amending Article 195 to make appointments subject to binding nominations from the governing councils in consultation with the Public Services Commission, ensuring transparency and continuity in public service leadership.
The union’s stance signals strong resistance to constitutional reforms perceived to dilute existing administrative structures and disrupt fiscal and governance coordination in Ghana.
