Tamale:The Head of the Local Government Service, Professor Lord Kwaku Mensah, has issued a warning to staff in the Northern Region to avoid absenteeism, indiscipline, and engaging in partisan political activities at work.
According to Ghana Web, Professor Mensah emphasized the importance of remaining at duty posts during official hours and maintaining professionalism, accountability, and political neutrality in their roles. During visits to various districts, he reported encountering issues with poor staff attendance, including observations made during three unannounced visits.
Professor Mensah, speaking at a meeting with management and staff of the Northern Regional Coordinating Council in Tamale, highlighted the non-negotiable nature of punctuality and regular attendance as essential responsibilities for local government staff. This meeting was part of his five-day tour of the region's 16 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies.
He urged the Acting Chief Director of the NRCC, along with Coordinating Directors and MMDCEs, to implement measures that would enforce discipline and accountability within the assemblies. Additionally, he reiterated that public servants must serve the public impartially, without letting personal political affiliations influence their duties.
Professor Mensah also directed staff to follow proper administrative structures and communication channels when addressing concerns or making decisions, cautioning against bypassing immediate supervisors. He stressed the need for redistributing personnel to correct staffing imbalances across the assemblies, especially in departments like Social Welfare, Community Development, Births and Deaths, and the Department of Agriculture.
Efforts to address these staffing gaps should include not only personnel redistribution but also the provision of adequate office resources such as space, furniture, and computers to ensure effective department operations.