Tamale: Mr. Ali Adolf John, Northern Regional Minister, has taken a firm stance on punctuality by locking out several public officials from a meeting organized by the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC). The meeting, intended to start at 0900 hours on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at the NRCC office in Tamale, saw delays from public officials such as Municipal and District Chief Executives, Coordinating Directors, Presiding Members, and Heads of Departments and Agencies.
According to Ghana News Agency, by 1000 hours, many of these officials had yet to arrive, even as invited guests, including chiefs from Zangbalun in the Kumbungu District and Bakpaba in the Nanumba North Municipality, were already seated. In response, Mr. John instructed security personnel to close the gate and prevent latecomers from entering the venue.
At 1030 hours, the gate was reopened, allowing the late officials to join the meeting. The gathering was primarily aimed at enabling Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and key institutions to report on development projects and responsibilities in the region. Updates were provided on projects such as the 24-hour Economy Market, Big Push Roads, security issues, and the installation of new transformers by the Northern Electricity Distribution Company Limited.
In his closing remarks, Mr. John warned against tardiness, stressing that it was unacceptable and detrimental to public service discipline and efficiency. He emphasized the need for punctuality as a core value in public administration and urged officials to set an example by respecting time and maintaining professionalism. Mr. John stated, "When a meeting is scheduled for 9am, everyone is expected to be present before the appointed time. If you know the condition of the road in your area and the time it takes to travel, then, you should make the necessary arrangements to ensure you are present on time."