Chief executives attend meeting

Accra Sept.13, GNA - Lack of attitudinal change, accommodation, logistics and effective communication have been identified as some of the problems militating against the revitalised Client Service Units (CSUs) in the Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).

Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and representatives of MDAs have therefore called for an urgent need to redress the problems to enhance the operations of Units. This was the decision of CEOs and representatives of MDAs at a meeting held for them to deliberate on a half-year report that seeks to monitor and evaluate the operations of the CSUs in the country. CSUs, the brainchild of the Public Sector Reform Ministry aims at bringing about a culture of change in the services delivery in the various MDAs.

Participants were drawn from Departments of Birth and Deaths, Survey, Land Title Registry, Registrar Generals', Rent Control and Vehicle and Licensing Department. Participants also stressed the need to train all staff on the essence of the CSU so that staff of MDAs would not see services rendered as a favour but a right.

Addressing the CEOs and representatives of 23 revitalised CSUs, Mr. Samuel Owusu-Agyei, Minister of Public Sector Reform said the main objectives of the Service Delivery Improvement Project was to simplify rules and procedures for service delivery to the private sector and the public in a more transparent, timely and cost effective manner. Mr Owusu-Agyei told the participants; "the public is becoming increasingly aware of their rights regarding public service, in terms of quality, accessibility and cost." He said systems had been put in place to facilitate the tracking of complaints so that appropriate actions were taken to redress issues in a speedy and efficient manner. The Minister said the quarterly report was to enable them to chart a road map that would improve their collective response to citizens' demands for better services.

Mr. Owusu-Agyei said his outfit had identified the urgent need to transform and expand a Service Delivery Charter for every organisation to highlight its obligations.

According to him, the charter was in the drafting stage and in consultation with MDAs concerned and it would soon be outdoored. Mr Owusu-Agyei said the Bureaux of Languages would also be consulted to translate the contents of the service charter in the various Ghanaian languages.

In addition, the Minister said his outfit had signed a maintenance agreement with software providers who would carry out regular maintenance, provide technical support and train staff in the use of the software.

He said to strengthen the monitoring mechanism and ensure efficient complaint management process, the Minister said a body made of persons from the private sector and the civil society would soon be established to address unresolved grievances and sanctions where necessary. "This User Group will intermediate between the MDAs and the customers", he said, adding that, the ideas drawn from the various resolutions would be implemented. He therefore, encouraged the CEOs and Directors to work harder and more conscientiously to make the goal and vision of the Golden Age of Business and private sector led-development of the nation a reality. 13 Sept.07