The Head of Local Government Service, Ing Dr Nana Ato Arthur has challenged Chief Directors/ Regional Coordinating Directors (RCDs) of the Service to make conscious efforts to hugely reduce audit infractions in their respective Regions.
He believes this can be achieved by adhering to audit recommendations and responding to breaches raised through auditing within the stipulated time.
Ing. Dr. Nana Ato Arthur made the challenge when he opened a 2-Day retreat for Chief Directors and Regional Coordinating Directors on Thursday, 1st June 2023 in Kumasi.
The retreat was under the theme: “Strengthening the RCCs for effective and efficient Public Service delivery at the local level “.
TACKLING AUDIT INFRACTIONS
The Ashanti Regional Director of the Audit Service, Kumasi District “B”, Mr. Saani Abdulai posited that audit infractions can drastically be reduced if the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) commit to address financial irregularities at the local level and adhere to audit recommendations. Mr. Saani called on Regional Coordinating Directors to provide Local Government staff with the needed training to build their competence in handling audit breaches.
On her part, the Chief Director of the Office of the Head of Local Government Service, Ms. Felicia Dapaah, enjoined the Regional Coordinating Directors to use the retreat as a platform to share best practices in reducing audit queries and provide the needed leadership to the MMDAs to reduce audit infractions. Ms. Dapaah implored the Chief Directors to include monitoring of their sub- District structures in their quarterly monitoring.
DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
Speaking on behalf of KfW, Mr. Samuel Anokye emphasized the need for the Local Government Service to ensure financial discipline is enhanced to address audit infractions. He urged the Office of the Head of Local Government Service (OHLGS) to ensure that staff assigned to the various MMDAs are well qualified with the competence required to provide effective and efficient use of resources. He advocated for regular capacity building for staff at all levels.
NATIONWIDE MEDICAL INSURANCE.
Ing. Dr. Nana Ato Arthur exhorted the Chief Directors and all staff of the Local Government Service to subscribe to the medical insurance policy provided by the Nationwide Medical Insurance company to complement the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
He emphasized that an agreement had been entered into with the insurance company to offer services to all staff.
Consequently, all staff are to enroll on at least the minimum premium of Thirty Ghana Cedis (30.00) for subscribers for now. Officers could request add-ons after the initial onboarding.
The Head of Service, therefore, tasked the Chief Directors to facilitate the successful onboarding of all Local Government Service staff to ensure that none is left out.
As part of the activities outlined for the meeting, the Chief Directors were refreshed on promoting Ethics in Public Service and Work-Life Balance to deliver effective and efficient service and enhance their role, professionalism and ethical values, and to ultimately strengthen their administrative capacities.
