At the signing ceremony, which took place on Wednesday at the Office of the Head of the Service in Accra, Nana Ato Arthur, who was elated at the partnership, disclosed that, the employment of various professionals would help reduce the high rate of unemployment which has saddled the country.

[contextly_sidebar id=”fhxBh6wOh37xiplZoVYknkQf3y5MbWAB”]“Just about two weeks ago, we advertised that we were looking for staff in the Local Government Service. Within the last two weeks, the number of graduates who have thronged this place will marvel all of us. I can tell you that we have over 5,000 applicants at the moment.”

“It tells you the level of unemployment in this country. Now with what we’re going to do today, between the Local Government Service and the Youth Employment Agency, I believe that we’re going to get many unemployed people to fill this gap,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the Youth Employment Agency, the CEO of YEA, Justin Frimpong Kodua, expressed gratitude at the partnership, and the prospects it holds for addressing youth unemployment in the country.

“This Graduate Internship Program is basically to help us to get various youths who are graduates and have been at home for several years to augment the staff strength of various public sectors. This is not the first, and it will certainly not be the last exercise that we are embarking on,” he said.

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By: Farida Yusif/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to him, the government will no longer commit resources into new projects to the neglect of uncompleted projects.

He revealed that government’s recent scrutiny of MMDAs groundworks uncovered several uncompleted projects whereas new ones have been awarded.

“While they complained of inadequate funds, they were awarding new contracts expected to be funded from the same sources of funding.”

“This is certainly a very bad management practice and unprofitable use of scarce resources. MMDAs cannot solve all their problems in a day and it is incumbent on us all to ensure that projects began are completed.”

Engineer Dr. Nana Ato Arthur was addressing staff of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) as part of his familiarisation tour of the Northern Region.

He admonished heads of departments at the assemblies to stop commuting to work daily outside their districts.

“The practice whereby staff of district assemblies refuse to stay close to their places of work even though official accommodation has been provided them but prefer commuting from the regional capital is unacceptable.”

He further condemned the Regional Coordinating Councils apathy towards monitoring and supervising the core functions of the MMDAs.

He called for the suspension of Regional Coordinating Councils request for staff promotions and transfers saying, “I condemn the practice in the local government service where Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) requested for approval for promotions in various classes, without ensuring vacancies existed in the various grades the request were being sought for.”

“When such requests are refused because of non-availability of vacancies, then there is pandemonium. I am therefore, entreating you to always link up with the human resource management directorate to clarify all thorny issues on promotions and upgrading.”

“It must also be noted that promotion to a new grade is now strictly linked to the availability of vacancy to that grade and funds to pay the officer. This means adherence to our various staffing norms is critical to enable the MMDAs and RCCs identify existing vacancies,” he emphasised.

Engineer Dr. Nana Ato Arthur promised to prioritize perennial capacity building of staff of the Local Government Service to enhance their efficiency.

“It is my vision to promote ICT to improve revenue mobilisation in the MMDAs. Most assemblies have huge potentials to improve their revenues and therefore, reduce their over reliance on Central Government releases to finance their development projects. This can be maximised if they adopt ICT strategies to facilitate identification of properties and other internally generated revenue mobilization sources,”

The Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed said funding of governments programmes remained a major challenge to the MMADs.

“Whilst I call for the strongest attention for this fact, I would appeal to MMDAs to find a way through their constrained funds, to provide these departments the leverage to operate effectively. Indeed their non-functioning renders MMDAs ineffective.”

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Finish uncompleted projects – Local Gov’t Service to MMDAs appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Speaking at a press conference the new appointee urged staff to be “active citizens of the institution.

It’s only through that, that we will live to the motto of the Local Government Service, the 3Ds: Decentralization, Democracy and Development.”

Dr Arthur also used the opportunity to outline five thematic areas he hopes to tackle with the help of his staff.

“There are five areas that I urge the whole Service to direct our attention to. They are: (1)Ensure transparency and accountability in the management of RCCs and MMDAs. (2)Ensure that the proper fundamentals are in place to ensure smooth election of MMDCEs as pledged by the President to the good people of Ghana. This, we shall play our part with all the stakeholders involved especially with the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Hajia Alima Mahama.”

He added: “Position MMDAs strategically for the implementation of President Akufo-Addo’s vision of ‘One-District, One-Factory’. We pledge to ensure that this laudable program succeeds. We need to empower MMDAs on best practices in decentralization and local governance. We will do that through twining; good sister-city partnership to enable the Municipalities or Districts paired, learn best practices from each other. Ensure improved revenue mobilization through workable ICT departments in the MMDAs,” he said.

Dr Arthur asked for the support of each staff member in achieving his vision.

“This is what I bring on board but I cannot do it alone. I need the total support of each and every one of us. I call for extreme loyalty on the part of all staff and hard work to maximize productivity. I also call for utmost trust among staff, otherwise, how do we achieve these objectives. We can only achieve this shared vision of the Local Government Service by changing from our old way of doing things.”

To conclude his address to his staff, Dr Arthur pledged “to be a servant-leader of the Service. I pledge with the entire management to provide the requisite leadership, manage the human resources and promote the organizational development of the Local Government Service so as to positively respond to the needs and aspirations of all our stakeholders. I ask for your total support.  We need to succeed and become the World Class decentralized and client oriented local government service as per our vision.”

Dr Nana Ato Arthur was handed the baton as Head of Service by his predecessor, Dr Callistus Mahama and he assumed office on Monday April 3.

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By: Akosua Ofewaa Opoku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post New Local Government Service boss promises efficiency appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The talented actress told the Graphic Showbiz that even though she performs bad girl roles it has not affected her marriage in any way.

“I am aware that lots of people are worried and some have been complaining on social media about the kind of roles I play. They feel my marriage will not last due to the bad girl role I play but I say that, they should not worry at all, my marriage is intact and will continue to be till thy kingdom come,” she said.

According to her, her husband is very supportive and she discusses things with him before she signs up for any project.

“What people do not know is that, I don’t just get up and do things on my own. I have an incredible team I work with and my hubby is always in the know of whatever move we want to take. Sometimes, I discuss it with him first to get his opinion.

“My hubby is very understanding and we communicate a lot. I have been married for two years and so far, everything is OK and I do not think what people think would affect my marriage.

“Moreover, he knows how and when to draw the line between what I portray in movies and the real me so he is not perturbed at all,” she said.

“I was into acting before we got married and he has been very helpful. Since the very day we met, he has been very supportive. We love, respect and understand each other. He is the first critic whenever I get a script and he knows all that I am up to every time.”

Kafui has featured in several movies including Devil in a Dress and 4 Play Reloaded. She has won the Best Supporting Actress of the Year (Ghana) at this year’s City People Entertainment Awards and the ‘Entertainment Person of the Year award at the All Africa Media Networks Awards in Accra.

By: Kojo Akoto Boateng/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post My marriage is safe – Kafui Danku appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.