Dr. Callistus Mahama, Head of the Local Government Service (LGS), has advised Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to closely monitor the attendance registers of their staff, and be truthful about their performances to help surge productivity in the Assemblies.

He said they should refrain from giving nice comments about the performances of their District Co-ordinating Directors (DCDs), when the reverse was the actual truth.

Dr. Mahama gave the advice at a ceremony held in Kumasi for the signing of a Performance Contract between MMDCEs and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Coordinating Directors (MMDCDs) to ensure effective and efficient local government system at the grassroots.

He explained that the Performance Contract was an enhanced form of the Performance Management System, aimed at creating a framework to facilitate close monitoring and assessment of the MMDAs to develop competencies in all fields. “It takes the system to a higher level and commits Chief Executives and Coordinating Directors to work to achieve their set aims and objectives,” he stated. Assessment would be based on performance reporting, human resource management, annual action planning, financial management, work environment and client service initiatives of the MMDAs, he pointed out.

Mr Peter Anaafi-Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Minister, commended the LGS for the initiative, noting that it would correct the problem of ‘blurred visions’ with regards to duties and responsibilities of employees and appointees.

He recommended that appropriate rewards, recognition and sanctions be given when it became necessary at the end of each contract period.

“It is my expectation that henceforth we shall begin to experience high performance that meets the expectation of all, since the contract spells out the key performance areas, the basis of which the contract parties will be assessed,” he added.