Accra, January, 2024. The Office of the Head of Local Government Service (OHLGS) says it has taken measures to deepen decentralisation and improve efficiency and compliance within the Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) and the District Assemblies.
The measures include the introduction of the District League Table, electronic biometric clocking system, unannounced visits to the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and investments in capacity building, strengthening reporting lines in the Service and training initiatives.
Speaking to journalists at a media soiree hosted by the leadership of the OHLGS in Accra, Dr Nana Ato Arthur, Head, Local Government Service, said the Service was working to digitise the operations of the Assemblies to reduce infractions and improve compliance.
He said the clocking system that had been introduced at the OHLGS and replicated by most Assemblies was already yielding dividends.
“Gone are the days when staff report to office after 09:00 hours and they leave office around 14:00 hour”. he affirmed. When we instituted the biometric clocking system, it checked lateness and punctuality thereby increasing productivity.
“At the end of the month, reports are generated from the clocking system and when we get to know those who go to the office late consistently, we query them. The unannounced visit is also helping,” Dr. Nana Ato Arthur said.
He said the implementation of the Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) at the Local Government Service has helped to improve budget monitoring, control and enhanced the capacity of local government staff in fiscal management. He stressed that most MMDAs are using innovative strategies for their revenue mobilisation. This has increased revenue for the MMDAs including Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly, Adentan Municipal Assembly; Secondi- Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA), among others.” Dr Nana Ato Arthur mentioned.
The Local Government Service was established under the Local Government Service Act, Act 656 of 2003 to ensure the efficient management and administration of the nation’s decentralised local government system.
The Service has the mandate to support local governments to deliver value for money services through mobilization, harmonization and utilization of quality human capital and material resources to promote local and national development.
Touting some of his achievements since taking over as head of the OHLGS in 2017, Nana Arthur said 14,000 personnel of varied classes had been recruited into the Service, with its current staff strength standing close to 37,676.
He said the Service currently has 164 Coordinating Directors and 97 in acting Capacity from various professional classes heading the 261 with MMDAs and a total of 14 Chief Directors and 2 in acting capacity, managing the 16 RCCs.
“Promotion and Career progression in the Service have also witnessed a very significant increase since 2017,” he stressed.
Dr Ato Arthur mentioned a five-storey ultra-modern office complex for the Office of the Head of the Local Government Service, which was inaugurated by the Vice President on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, as one of his major achievements
He also revealed that the LGS is constructing a Human Resource Development Centre at Akumadan in the Offinso North District in the Ashanti Region, upon completion, the Local Government Service Council intends to use the edifice as a university.
“The project is expected to be fully completed in July 2024,” he said.