As part of the scheme of Service Training and Capacity Building Plan for the Human Resource Department, the Municipal Assembly organized a one-day seminar on the local government service protocols on the 10^th May, 2024

TRAINING  OBJECTIVE

The main purpose of the seminar was to broaden the knowledge of participants and thereby improve their operational and professional effectiveness.

Specifically, the seminar was aimed at

• Acquainting participants with the local Government service protocols
• Deepening participants understanding of the protocols and its importance.

PARTICIPATION

The participants were from all the decentralized departments and agencies.

OPENING CEREMONY

The opening ceremony took place on the 10^th May, 2024; the day of the Programme. The coordinating director welcomed all participants to the seminar. He emphasized the need to be abreast with the local Government service protocols. As this will help the staff in their work.

He also entreats participants to take the seminar serious and that, we are very privileged to have all the resources around us to work with. He then declared the seminar officially opened.

TRAING CONTENT

• Condition of Service
• Code of Conduct
• Scheme of Service
• Service Delivery Standards
• Some aspects of labour law.

Objective of the statement of the Principles

The objective of each of the statement of Principles is to articulate the principles upon which the requisite standards of conduct necessary to ensure the exhibition of the values required in the LGS and Ghana’s public service can be clarified.

Objectives of the Standards of Conduct

The objectives of the Standards of Conduct is to provide clear direction for conduct by officers and staff of the local Government Service. Each set of standards of conducts have been chosen to provide strategic direction for the progressive manifestation of the values that the Local Government Service seeks to promote.

Test for Decision Making in time of Dilemma

A test is set to assist in decision making in time of dilemma PART 1

CANNONS OF THE CODE

1. Anonymity and Permanence
2. Client- orientation and Loyalty and Commitment
3. Transparency and Accountability
4. Diligence, Discipline and Timeliness
5. Creativity and Innovativeness
6. Equity and Impartiality
7. Integrity

ANNONIMITY AND PERMANENCE

STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLE

ANONYMITY

 Officers and staff of Local Government Service shall serve the State with neutrality and anonymity in the national and local Government processes

PERMANENCE

The local Government Service is a constitutionally mandated Public Service institution and owes allegiance only to the State and community. The performance of the Local Government Service is integral to the achievement of the objective of Local Government Authorities whose Chief Executives are appointed by an elected Executive.

MINIMUM STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

In the discharge of their roles or functions in any projects or task, officers and staff of Local Government Service shall:

1. Not put themselves in a position where personal interest conflict or is likely to conflict with the performance of the functions of their office
   1. Not seek individual recognition for their work by styling themselves in any manner beyond their official position
   1. Conduct the work assigned to them without enquiring about benefits or reward from that project or task.
   1. Maintain political neutrality in the performance of their public functions and duties
   1. Never act as an agents of or for the interest of a political, social, ethnic, gender or other interest group
   1. Not seek election to office as a member of an Assembly.
   1. Not attend or support the functions, programs and activities of political, social, ethnic or gender interest group in a private capacity and name or in circumstances unrelated to the discharge of the projects and tasks of the Local Government Service.
   1. Always seek to deepen the systems, processes and procedures of the Local Government Service and Local Government Authorities to ensure institutional strength and capacity
   1. At all times affirm and confirm that the Local Government Service is a permanent institution serving on the interests of the nation and its communities.

ANONIMITY TEST– In discharge of your duties, do you draw attention to your contribution by styling your designations in written or oral communications beyond your official capacity for discharge the said duty; and would it appear to any reasonable mind that you wish to be acknowledge as having been the author of the said work or the brain behind the achievement of outcomes?

PERMANENCE TEST– Do you discharge your functions, roles and tasks in such a way to deepen the systems, functions, objectives and image of the Local Government Service as a public service institution or would your conduct create the perception in reasonable minds that the Local Government Service exists to support the interest of any political, social, ethnic or other group other that the interest of only the state and entire community? Would your action or inaction create the perception that the Local Government Service would lose effectiveness and relevance id an interest group lost its influence or power in the society?

CANON TWO (2):

CLIENT ORIENTATION, LOYALTY AND COMMITMENT

STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLE:

The State and Community are the clients of the Local Government Service.

Local Government Authorities exist only serve the state and Community. The State and Community are at all times entitled to the dedication, loyalty and commitment of the service and all MMDA’s. All development solution must be tailored within national long term development goals, ensuring that they result in enhancement of quality of life in the State and Community.

MINIMUM STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

In the discharge of their official duties, officers and staff of Local Government Service shall:

2.1 Ensure that service to the State and Community take precedence over all other activities

2.2 Develop policies, programs and measures which facilitate the implementation of legislation designed to transfer the functions, powers, responsibilities and resources of Central Government units in a coordinated manner

2.3 develop policies and programs which ensure that people in particular local Government areas are afforded the opportunity, as far as they participate effectively in the government of their communities

2.4 Maintain high standards accountability, transparency and responsibility in the conduct of all public business

2.5 Develop procedures which provide adequate mechanisms to enforce the accountability of Local Government Authorities to the State and Community

2.6 Develop measures to ensure that the holders in and staff of Local Government Authorities reflect the composition of the community in terms of gender, ethnicity, social and religious groups

2.7 Appreciate and accept the state and Community as the beneficiaries of their work

2.8 Always work in accordance with national development planning goals and action plans

2.9 Be committed to the holistic development of all aspects of the community including the quality of life of the vulnerable in society.

LOYALTY & COMMITMENT TEST:

Would your conduct create in reasonable minds the understanding that you accept the State and Community as the recipients of the benefit of your work or would your conduct create the perception that your loyalty and commitment to the Staff and Community is secondary to your loyalty and commitment to any other political, social, ethnic or other interest group within the State and Community.

CLIENT ORIENTATIION TEST: Would your conduct create an impression in the minds of neutral parties that you have selectively provided a better service to one resident of the community that another in the discharge of your official duties?

CANON THREE (3):

TRANSPERENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY PRINCIPLE:

Transparency and accountability is fundamental to nonpartisan decision making in local governance.

Relations between the Local Government Service, RCCs, MMDAs and Communities shall be governed by respect and undergirded by consultation, collaboration and accountability for decisions and outcomes of decisions

MINIMUM STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

In discharge of their roles, functions and obligations towards Local Government Authorities, officers and staff of Local Government Service shall:

1. Respect and comply with the law and act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity, accountability and transparency of the Local Government Service.
   1. Ensure that all opinions, tasks, advice, projects and reports given to Local Government Authorities are supported by well documented goals, targets and records.
   1. Design and implement all stages of programs, projects and tasks to include the provision of information and receipt of evaluative feedback from all stakeholders
   1. Expect to be the subject of constant public scrutiny and must therefore accept restrictions on their conduct in relation to the promotion of the interest of any political, social, ethnic or other groups.
   1. Not accept gifts where it will appear to influence or result in influencing the performance of official duties
   1. Disclose in writing to their immediate boss when they or close family members have an interest in any contract or transactions which they are required to take part in developing.
   1. Disqualify themselves from participating in any deliberation regarding a contract or transaction in which they or a close family member have a direct financial or other interests.

TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TEST

Is your conduct, action taken and discretion exercised always referable to articulated systems, procedures, goals and rules of the Local Government Service?

STYLE OF PRESENTATION

The resource persons adopted a mixture of direct lectures, power point presentation and demonstrations.

LESSONS LEARNT

• Participants acquired the requisite knowledge and skills needed to deliver high quality service in an effective manner.
• Deepened understanding of the local government service protocols
• Participants equipped with the basic tools and skills of management to enable me function well as a local government staff.
• Provided with the opportunity to exchange experiences and ideas

     CONCLUSION

The seminar was very educative, and the participants learnt a lot from it. Hope participants make good use of the knowledge and skills acquired and possibly make impact on the staff.    

RECOMMENDATION

I recommend that;

• Officers in the Assembly are periodically trained on the service protocols.
• It is also recommended that staff be given the chance to undertake such programs often.