The 2025 Civil Service Week Celebration kicked off in grand style on Wednesday, June 11, with the opening of the Inter-Ministerial Football Tournament at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The ceremony brought together civil servants, government officials, sports enthusiasts, and invited guests to mark the start of a week-long celebration that promotes unity, wellness, and innovation within the public sector.
The Civil Service Week Celebration is being held under the theme “Adapting to Automation, Artificial Intelligence, and E-Governance: The Civil Service in Contemporary Ghana.”
Participants’ teams are drawn from the ministries and departments of the Ghana Civil Service.
Today’s event featured teams from the Ministry of Education, Department of Feeder Roads, Ministry of Sports and Recreation, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Department of Urban Roads, and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service in the men’s category.
The women’s category included the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.
It’s part of the group stage matches of the football tournament that will lead into the main event, which kicks off from July 16 to July 25.
The games, first introduced in 2022, have grown in scope and participation. The 2025 edition features new events such as E-Games, Arm Wrestling, and Indoor Games, alongside traditional competitions like Football, Table Tennis, and Lawn Tennis.
In his opening address, Dr. Evans Aggrey-Darkoh, Head of the Civil Service, emphasized the importance of the Inter-Ministerial Games as a symbol of teamwork, discipline, and national service.
Underscoring the theme for the occasion, Dr. Aggrey-Darkoh said it reflects the service’s commitment to embracing digital transformation and innovation to boost productivity and service delivery across public institutions.
Highlighting the integration of digital tools in the event, Dr. Aggrey-Darkoh lauded the inclusion of Soccaloca, a digital platform managing the football tournament.
He described it as a clear example of how technology can enhance coordination and engagement within the civil service, even during recreational activities.
Dr. Aggrey-Darkoh encouraged staff across the service to actively participate in the games, noting that the tournament would help form a strong Civil Service Football Team for future public-private competitions.
He also commended the Planning and Sub-Committees for their dedication to organizing a safe, inclusive, and vibrant tournament.
He called on all participants to exhibit fairness, professionalism, and sportsmanship throughout the competitions, stressing that the games are a platform for building networks and fostering synergy.
On her part, the Chairperson of the Planning Committee, Mrs. Wilhelmina Asamoah, acknowledged the presence of all and sundry, indicating that the event signifies a strong testament to the importance they place on unity, wellness, and collaboration across the civil service.
She observed that the event goes beyond just competition and is a celebration of “teamwork, discipline and the shared values that bind us together as Civil Service staff.”
“Through sports, we find common ground, break barriers and build relationships that go beyond our offices and job descriptions,” Mrs. Asamoah added in her welcome address.
She encouraged all participants to compete with integrity, show good sportsmanship, and called for being part of such a symbol of shared commitment to a stronger, healthier, and more united civil service.
The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, commended the Civil Service for putting together such an organization, using sports as a tool to promote unity and sportsmanship among the service.
Among the special guests present at the opening ceremony were the Minister for Sports and Recreation (Kofi Adams), former Black Stars player and assistant coach (John Paintsil), officials of the National Sports Authority, and key figures from the civil service including chief directors, department heads, and Planning Committee members.
