The Office of the Head of the Local Government Service (OHLGS) has trained and oriented some 13 newly appointed Chief Directors (CD) and Regional Co-ordinating Directors (RCD) about their new task.

The five- day programme which was held at the in Kumasi of the Ashanti Region was to sharpen their skills and knowledge as they assume their new role. 

Speaking on behalf of the sector Minister, Deputy Local Government and Rural Development Minister, O. B Amoah urged the new appointees to assist their respective regional ministers to supervise, monitor evaluate and submit reports on their performance of the assemblies to the President. 

He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to supporting in the execution of their functions and called on them to work assiduously towards realising President Akufo-Addo’s agenda of achieving its flagship programmes.

Adding that the successful implementation of programmes such as the Free Senior High School programme; Planting for Food and Jobs; 1 District 1 Factory; 1 Village 1 Dam; Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme required their utmost coordination, commitment and professionalism.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Co-ordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD), Salifu Mahama spelt out some of the current policy issues that needed much attention.

He indicated mainstreaming local economic development at the regional and district levels to harness the abundant rich resources (both human and material) to provide opportunities and incomes for citizens.

Another area of concern he mentioned was developing the needed systems for local revenue mobilisation.

According to him, the needed spatial and fiscal databases must be developed to improve knowledge and available potential while ensuring strategies required in the collection of corresponding local revenues are created. 

He, therefore, proposed a yearly review of the National Decentralisation Policy and Strategy (2020-2024), with the Regional Co-ordinating Directors in collaboration with the OHLGS.

The move, he argued, will enable the IMCCoD establish the on-going efforts and the progress made by respective offices regarding the National Decentralisation policy and strategy.

To ensure the needed commitment to the implementation of the National Decentralisation Policy and Strategy, Ing. Mahama appealed to the OHLGS to develop specific indicators to measure the performance of MMDAs as far as the National Decentralisation Policy and Strategy was concerned in the LGS Performance Contract. 

The Head of the Local Government Service, Dr Nana Ato Arthur in his address congratulated the newly appointed Chief Directors (CDs) and Regional Co-ordinating Directors (RCDs) and wished them well in their new role.

Reminding them of their responsibilities, Dr Authur said a high sense of human management skills and professionalism would be highly required in the discharge of their duties.

He was hopeful, the capabilities and attitudes of the newly appointed CD/RCDs will enable them work assiduously to justify the confidence reposed in them.

He further entreated them to work closely with their respective Regional Minister’s to further deepen and advance the course of decentralisation. 

The Ashanti Region Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah lauded the initiative of the Service and appealed to the Service to continue to support and build the capacity of the staff of the MMDAs and Regional Co-ordinating Councils.

He urged the newly appointed CDs and RCDs to be tolerant but firm in their decision making in accordance with the service delivery standards of the LGS.

Mr Osei-Mensah threw a word of caution to the CDs/RCDs to be mindful of their conducts, decisions and speech in their day to day activities while ensuring neutrality is exhibited in the conduct of their work.

The technical sessions of the workshop were facilitated by seasoned professionals who extensively took participants through a number of areas considered vital in the execution of the roles as administrative heads in the Regions.

Highlights of the presentation at the workshop included; Public Administration: the new Public Management; Deepening Inter-Service and Sectoral Collaboration and Co-ordination; National decentralisation Policy and Strategy (2020-2024); Public Policy Making and Analysis; Strategic & Ethical Leadership and leadership Capacity Building: the Intelligence Factor.  

Participants were also enlightened on the need to ensure good oral hygiene as well as insight into Strategic Maintenance of Peace and Security across the sub-region.

They also had the opportunity to interact with one of the long serving RCDs who is currently the Chief Director at the Volta Regional Co-ordinating Council and doubles as the Dean of the RCDs, Felix Chahaaa.

Having worked and survived under different regimes, he shared his working experience and offered the newly appointed CDs/RCDs advice on best practices.

In attendance at the Orientation workshop were the Chairman of the Local Government Service Council, Nana Rex Owusu -Ansah, the Secretary to Cabinet, Mercy Debrah-Karikari, the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive and Directors and some senior officers of the OHLGS.