I am the unifier - Dan Abodakpi

An aspiring national chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Dan Abodakpi says his ability to close the rank and file of the party makes him the best person for the position.

Speaking to over 400 delegates of the NDC in Kumasi, he reiterated that under his leadership there would be no factions in the party.

“I will provide the kind of leadership that all members can trust and feel comfortable to work with,” he added.

He also promised delegates that if voted as party chairman, he would ensure equity in the distribution of government appointments.

He pledged never to accept any appointment as a board member to any government institution and only focus on the party to ensure that promises in the NDC manifesto were implemented.

Mr Abodakpi said when elected as a chairman, he would ensure that the party is rejuvenated at the grassroots level to ensure resounding victory for the party in 2016. He emphasised the need to bring fresh limbs on board to use new and better ideas and energies to drive the party to victory in 2016.

He, however, lamented that there was discontent among foot soldiers of the party who worked hard to bring the party to power.

He stressed that the situation where party foot soldiers were used and dumped after election does not augur well for the party, adding there was the need to shift the paradigm.

Mr Abodakpi told delegates that he is committed to the ideals and principles of the party to the extent of going to prison because of his love for the party, saying he is ready to sacrifice even more for the party.

He, therefore, urged delegates to vote for him to become the next national chairman of the National Democratic Congress.

cuB? h[1]?? ??? and appealed to the head of local government service to help address them for the effective implementation of government policies and programmes.

Mr Ziedeng, the out-going Upper West Regional Minister, in a welcoming address, urged the heads of decentralised departments and agencies to make known all issues confronting the various institutions and agencies in the region to the head of the Local Government Service.

He said the exercise was to provide a platform for discussions on how to improve the decentralisation system and enhance the operations of the various decentralised departments, as well as the district assemblies.

Responding to some of the issues, Dr Mahama announced that some of the 46 newly created district assemblies had been provided with cheques as mobilisation funds, to start with the construction of offices and residential accommodation.

He assured the district assemblies that the region would be provided with additional personnel to make up for the shortfall, pointing out that professionals, such as physical planners, were inadequate in Ghana, and advised the assemblies to bear with the Local Government Service.

On the issue of births and deaths, Dr Mahama announced that the Births and Deaths Department would be merged with the Ghana Statistical Service as plans were in place to decentralise its operations, with the Unit Committees taking up that responsibility at the local community level to help reduce the pressure of recruiting additional personnel.

Dr Mahama advised heads of decentralised departments and agencies to their through the Regional Co-ordinating Councils, and also make sure that their budgets were integrated into the Regional Co-ordinating Council’s budget to avoid duplications.

He also urged the decentralised departments and agencies to set standards at workplaces to enhance quality work delivery and productivity.

They should also appraise the workers every six months and organise in-service training for them to upgrade their knowledge and skills on modern practices and trends.

Talking about recruitment of critical personnel, Dr Mahama said even though there had been a ban on replacement, some special consideration had been provided for critical personnel whose absence would affect quality work at the decentralised departments and agencies.

Some of the officials of the decentralised departments and agencies complained of lack of in-service training and inadequate night allowance of GH?24, and appealed for increment.