MOTIVATION OF PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES. AN ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN THE SUNYANI REGIONAL HOSPITAL.

Abstract

In every organization, employees are considered as the most important assets. For every employer to get the best out of its workers in terms of better productivity and enhanced performance there is the need for employers to increase the morale level of its workers. This can be achieved through effective management practices such as motivation. There is however the problem of inadequate motivation among public sector workers in Ghana thereby leading to low productivity in the country. The phrase, "this work is not for my family, so I can't kill myself for it," seems to be on the lips of many Ghanaians especially those in the public sector. Many of the workers in this sector tend to forget that their wages and salaries depend on their productivity at the workplace. This problem therefore has become the basis for this study. The study revealed that financial incentives, career development and management issues are core factors that affect the motivation of health workers. It became clear that respect and recognition is highly influential in health worker motivation; furthermore adequate supplies and appropriate infrastructure, tools and equipment are factors that can significantly improve the morale level of health professionals. The study gave a recommendation that, government should not lose sight of the fact that even in the presence of all non financial incentives, equipment and facilities that health professionals need to work with; their motivation to put in their maximum effort to work would not be complete without the use of financial rewards. The study therefore recommends that government and policy makers should reintroduce policies such as the Additional Duty Allowance system and other financial rewards that can go a long way to motivate health professional