Assemblies ought to create client service units

Dr Callistus Mahama, the head of the Local Government Service, has tasked Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to create client service unit as a means to keep in touch with the people within their jurisdictions.

He explained that the client service unit would serve as channels that people on the ground could also give feed back to the MMDCs.

That, he said, was a key requirement in the District Assembly Law and conformed to the service delivery standard, which the assemblies must not overlook but be mindful.

Dr Mahama gave the directive at a performance contract signing ceremony of MMDCEs and their respective coordinating directors in the Eastern Region in Koforidua.

He said it was important the MMDCs managed the expectations of people under the decentralised local governance system, explaining that complaints and petitions must be treated with urgency and precision.

According to him, an MMDCEs report from a citizens’ survey of the district assemblies’ performance indicated that: “The assemblies are incompetent and corrupt”.

That perception, he pointed out, was because the people were not engaged in the business of the assemblies while in the absence of information, perception thrived.

The Local Government Service has developed a comprehensive Performance Management Service (PMS) based on agreed service delivery standards to enhance productivity, develop competencies and increase job satisfaction.

Nana Kodua Kesse, the Oyokohene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, and a member of the Council of State, called on the MMDCEs to collaborate and trust each other in the performance of their functions to benefit all.

Mr Antwi-Boasiako Sekyere, the Eastern Regional Minister, said the performance contract was aimed at ensuring clear and regular communication between the MMDCEs and their coordinating directors, and would ensure effective planning, resource allocation and effective feedback.

He urged the MMDCEs to engage their heads of departments and all other members of staff of the assembly to ensure good performance management processes to deliver better results that met the needs of the public.