RCC expresses worry about unruly behaviour of some departmental heads

Koforidua, (E/R), Oct. 22, GNA - Mr Baba Jamal, Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, has registered the displeasure of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) about the unruly behavior of some heads of institutions in the region.

He said the need to strengthen the collaboration between the RCC, which was a stakeholder in all aspects of development in the region, could not be downplayed.

Mr Jamal cited an instance where the Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, wanted to speak to the principal of a health training institution and the person rather directed the minister to discuss whatever he had with the secretary.

Mr Jamal, who revealed this during the inauguration of the boards of governors of the three government health training institutions in the region on Thursday, called on the boards to ensure that the principals established cordial relationship with the RCC.

He said the RCC and for that matter the minister knew the laid down procedure in terms of admission but as far as development and equal accessibility was concerned, some strategies must be adopted explaining the need for collaboration.

Mr Jamal reiterated government's awareness of the challenges facing all training institutions and would provide the necessary infrastructure to increase the intake to those institutions. The boards inaugurated were those for the Nursing, Midwifery and Community Health institutions at Atibie, Koforidua and Oda respectively. Dr Ebenezer Appiah-Denkyirah, Director of Human Resource and Development of the Ministry of Health (MOH), said a performance agreement with the board of governors would be signed to ensure that they achieved the set objectives.

He said the responsibilities of the board includes mobilizing funds and connecting the respective institutions to others for cultural and learning exchanges, advising principals on strategies to improve the products and facilities of the schools and maintaining discipline and decorum among students.

Dr Appiah-Denkyirah said Ghana had only 17 percent of the required nursing personnel manning the various health institutions and that the MOH had increased the intake to such institutions to meet the demands. Nana Onini Afari, Benkumhene of the Kwahu Traditional area and a board member, thanked the RCC on behalf of his colleagues for the confidence reposed in them and pledged to work hard to improve the facilities of the institutions.

The 18 members of the boards later sworn on oaths of secrecy, office and allegiance by a High Court Judge, Justice Kosi Efo Kaglo, who reminded them that God would demand answers from them when they failed to perform. 22 Oct. 09