Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipal Assembly held its staff durbar on 31st December 2024 to address critical workplace matters, including attendance, professionalism, and staff welfare. The session, which began with a prayer by Mr. Ayew Selumama, the Municipal Human Resource Manager, saw Madam Scholastica Abesiba Awine welcoming participants and expressing gratitude for their safe return after the Christmas break. However, the Municipal Director raised concerns about poor attendance, conducting a departmental roll call that revealed significant absenteeism across multiple units, including Budget and Internal Audit.
In his opening remarks, the Municipal Coordinating Director (MCD) commended staff dedication but cautioned against political entanglements, urging employees to remain professional and neutral, especially with the change in government. He emphasized the need for a shift in workplace culture, discouraging outdated practices and advocating for improved work ethics. He also highlighted the importance of punctuality, expressing disappointment over staff arriving late and leaving early, a habit he warned must change for improved productivity.
The durbar also touched on performance appraisals, with the MCD stressing that staff attendance would play a crucial role in promotions. He warned that even employees with high performance scores could be denied promotions if they had poor attendance records. To improve monitoring, he announced a new policy requiring Heads of Departments to submit monthly attendance reports. Additionally, he addressed concerns over staff dressing, urging employees to maintain a professional appearance as a reflection of the Assembly’s standards.
Security and workplace relationships were also discussed, with the MCD encouraging staff to look out for one another and foster mutual respect. He emphasized that a culture of respect enhances workplace harmony and productivity. On staff welfare, the MCD proposed a review of the welfare package, suggesting an increase from 10 to 20 Ghana cedis. However, he stressed the need for uniformity and transparency in staff support initiatives.
The durbar also included a session on the Client Service Charter, where the facilitator outlined the Assembly’s responsibilities, service standards, and commitment to transparency. Key service delivery standards, such as issuing business operating permits, development permits, and waste management services, were highlighted. Finally, the Municipal Human Resource Manager provided an overview of Local Government protocols, stressing the importance of understanding service conditions, offenses, and penalties. Staff were encouraged to familiarize themselves with these protocols to improve their knowledge and career prospects.
