Accra, Sept 1, GNA- Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday called for closer collaborations between political heads and their top civil servants to achieve growth and development in their areas.

He said politicians who disregarded the advice and contributions of their civil servants were likely to flop in their political endeavours.

Vice President Mahama gave this advice when he launched a book entitled; Local government Administration in Ghana; The Accra experience from 1982-1992.

The 266-page book which was co-authored by Mr. Enoch Teye Mensah, Minister for Employment and Social Welfare, and Mr. Tony Korsah Dick, an administrator, among other issues outlined the beginning of the programme, its progress, challenges and success.

Vice President said: "I am happy that there was this collaboration between the two of you at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and I urge others to follow such a good example to come out with good literature for both our politicians and students."

He said Administrators, apart from wielding ample knowledge in governance and human relations, also had the techniques in handling issues amicably and should therefore be consulted at all times for political success.

"Messrs E.T Mensah and Tony Korsah-Dick have blazed the trail in that collaboration and I hope that in future more of such collaborations would come out with educative literature for all."

The Vice President called on writers on the local government administration to highlight on issues such as sanitation, poor refuse disposal and improper sewerage systems.

He commended the authors for capturing the single roads system in Accra, the use of modern vehicles for in-country running (tro-tro) instead of the previous wooden vehicles (boneshaker) among other issues.

Mr. Mensah said the objective of the book was to make recommendations for the local government authorities to identify the loop-holes in the programme and re-strategize for better administration in future.

He attributed their success to the cooperation of all workers in the decentralized system, who, provided valuable information for their work.

Dr. Esther Offei- Aboagye, Director of the Institute of Local Government, who reviewed the book, commended them for their suggestions which she said would help provide options and useful measures in future.

She further recommended the book for all Ministers, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives.

SOF

01 Sept.10