The Oti Regional Minister, Daniel Machstor, speaking at the performance contract signing ceremony, described the move as foundational exercise that underscores ORCC’s commitment to excellence in local governance and service delivery.

The event, he said is guided by the mandate of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), which establishes a framework for decentralized governance and the effective management of our Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs).

“The performance contracts we sign today serve as a benchmark for accountability, a tool for performance evaluation, and a road map for achieving developmental priorities,” he said.

According to him, performance contracts are not mere formalities but represent a mutual agreement between the leadership of the assemblies and the government to deliver measurable results in key areas such as education, health, infrastructure, and economic development.

“It is essential to address some pressing challenges affecting the effective execution of our mandates. Reports from previous years have revealed instances of underperformance, lack of adherence to key deliverables, and inefficiencies in some assemblies. This situation cannot and will not be allowed to continue,” he noted.

He continued that consequent to the issues of non-performance of assemblies, government has outlined measures, ranging from warnings to potential terminations aimed at fostering accountability and ensuring that all staff and management perform their duties effectively.

Mr Machator urged the Municipal and District Chief Executives and Coordinating Directors not to only go about setting targets but also about inspiring your teams to achieve them.

“ I encourage you to adopt a hands-on approach, ensuring that the priorities outlined in these contracts are effectively translated into actionable outcomes,” he stated.

This, he added the Human Resource Managers also play a pivotal role in this process by implementing robust performance management systems and cultivating a culture of continuous learning, to help address underperformance before it becomes a systemic issue.

For his part, the Chief Director of ORCC, Rev. Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo, recounted how the council had received a circular from the local government directing the council to supervise the signing and submission of the performance contract.

According to him, the essence of the performance contract is for service delivery hence the staff of the local government were employed to ensure efficient service delivery to the public.

Professionalism of the staff of local government,  participation of opinion leaders and other stakeholders which is key in service delivery as well as accountability to the public are the cardinal principles and standards of service delivery.

He urged transparency, efficiency,  effectiveness among staff in the use of the public resources in their line of duty.

To him, it’s not only the signing of the performance contract that is important but the implementation and there is the need for all MDAs to ensure a successful implementation of the document hence the ORCC will not hesitate to punish any MDA or staff that fails to performance in their discharge of mandate.

Rev. Owoo continued that client focus is also another standard of the Local Governance and there is the need for all the clients unit of the MDAs are effectively functional.

Financial management and reporting,  human resources management in terms of recruitment, posting among others as well as social service and local economic activities are key in the performance contract.

Rev. Owoo however charged the management of various assemblies to comply with the indicators in the performance contract and incorporate same in their performance contract document.

The directive signed and issued by the Chief Director of ORCC, Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo on behalf of the Regional Minister, said the sanctions are applicable to staff like Municipal and District Coordinating Directors, Heads of Department and Staff in the Local Government Service.

The statement opined that the move was in line with resolutions of council which stipulates that members of the Service listed in the (Section 50 of the Local Governance Act 936) ought to be given a hearing to explain the reasons for their failure in performance.

This, he said due process would be followed in meting out sanctions to officers to ensure fairness to allow members of the Service to strictly apply sanctions at all levels and to exhibit effective leadership in managing performance and notify the Head of Service

He acknowledged that the resolutions of council adopted the measures to compel management to ensure effective supervision of staff; RCC/MMDAs to be oriented on environmental cleanliness.

The statement further directs the Regional Coordinating Directors and Municipal District Coordinating Directors to strictly enforce and apply the disciplinary procedures of the Service

It went on to direct the management of the Office of the Head of Local Government Service (OHLGS) to provide a comprehensive document of the Sanctions identified from the Retreat as part of their discussion on the performance of indicators by council.

He added that the sanctions to be meted out to non-performing staff and officers are reformative towards enhancing performance.

Municipal District Coordinating Directors are charged to report non-performing MMDCEs to their respective Regional Ministers and officers within less endowed communities require adequate support to enhance their performance as well as nonperforming Officers within well-resourced districts should be sanctioned

Rev. Owoo however entreated staff of MDAs and the Local Government Service to scale up their performance and not to fall victim to the sanctions enumerated hence all sanctions would be applied to the letter devoid of fear or favor.

A Total of 150 adolescent participants were engaged and sensitized on the effects of teenage pregnancy and child marriage, as well as the importance of embracing STEM education. Solidarity messages from queen mothers, Regional Directors and representatives from CSOs encouraged and empowered participants to stay focused and pursue careers in skill development for global competitiveness.

Resource persons and dignitaries included representatives from the Municipal Health Directorate, Department of Gender, Regional STEM Department, Ghana Standard Authority, Ghana Education Service, TVET and the Traditional Council.

The three important planning documents under review, he said include the zoning guidelines and planning standards, the manual for the preparation of spatial planning and the new planning model to guide spatial planning practice in the country published under the Town and Country Planning Department in 2011.

These, he mentioned was guided by the town and country planning ordinance Act 1945 (CAP 84) and the Local Government Act, 1993 (Act 462) which have been repealed following the enactment of the land used and spatial planning Act 2016 (Act 925) and Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936); hence the need to review the documents to align with the current Land Use and Spatial Planning legislation to make them more relevant.

Rev. Owoo indicated that the review of the documents will give opportunity to update the spatial planning documents with current standards and development trends by the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA) and other stakeholders.

The ORCC, he added is mandated to provide for sustainable development of land and human settlements through a decentralized planning system to ensure judicious use of land in order to create an enabling environment for District Assemblies to better perform the spatial planning and human settlements management functions within the Region.

This, he noted the Regional Spatial Planning Committee was inaugurated and set into motion on 20th August 2020, this was followed by the inauguration of all the District Spatial Planning Committees in October 2020.

He lamented the inability of the Regional Spatial Planning Committee to meet regularly due to financial challenges but had chocked significant successes.   “These include; the preparation of a Local Plan on a 250 acres land donated by the chiefs during the inauguration of this region. Major infrastructural developments are ongoing there under guides of this plan,” he noted.

“It is also worth noting that under the direction of the Regional LUSPA, the RSPC had been able to prepare a draft Structure Plan (SP) for Jasikan, Biakoye, Krachi East, and Nkwanta South. Plans are also under way to replicate it in the remaining five Districts. A proposal has also been done to prepare the regional Spatial Development Framework (SDF) by December 2025,” he said.

For his part, GIZ technical advisor for PAIRED programme, Robert Obenyah, believes the technical workshop marks a significant step toward achieving collective goals thus, providing a platform for knowledge exchange, and innovative solutions that will drive the refinement of our spatial planning systems.

“PAIReD cooperates with public institutions at the national level as well as 60 MMDAs across all 16 regions of Ghana to employ good governance principles that contribute to sustainable development as well as create an environment that improves the lives of Ghanaians,” he stated.

PAIReD works in five areas of intervention by improving the domestic revenue system, strengthening expenditure management according to development plans, fostering land-use planning, fighting corruption and illicit financial flows and strengthening capacities of media and civil society for accountability.

“By working together, we can address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, ensuring that our spatial planning frameworks are not only effective but also resilient and adaptable,” he said

GIZ PAIReD,he said stands firmly committed to supporting the revision process that serves the interest of the state actors represented here, who depend on these documents to provide services to the citizenry. “We believe that through open dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaborative effort, we can ensure that Ghana’s spatial planning framework continues to propel the nation towards a sustainable and prosperous future,” he noted.

According to him, the preparation of the budget goes through process and in line the legal framework adding that the process is the foundation for which a budget is planned and also leads to the annual budget planning.

“Whatever we do must be in accordance with the rules and regulations, this document is prepared. Annual action plan is used by the assembly to execute their project implementation,” he said.

This, he said starts from the budget committee to FNA through to the general assembly and then to the ORCC to become a final working document for all assemblies.

 As the finance minister presents the national budget, it’s also incumbent on the local assemblies to also prepare their budgets to be added to the national budget presentation, said the minister.

The Chief Director advised the management of the various assemblies to take note of the comments and recommendations made by the experts to replicate same in their narrative budget documents.

On Wednesday October 16 2024, Nkwanta North, Krachi West and Krachi Nchumuru district assemblies had their turn to present the 2024 composite budget draft to the committee respectively.

The second leg of the budget hearing comprised the Biakoye, Nkwanta South, and Kratchi East Municipal Assemblies on Thursday October 17, 2024 whilst Guan, Jasikan and Kadjebi district assemblies also presented theirs on Friday October 18, 2024.  

During the composite budget hearing, the regional budget committee identified infraction and challenges and recommended for change to be made by the assemblies and the corrections must be made in the narrative budget document for submission to the ORCC by October 30^th and for onwards submission to the Finance Ministry by November 8, 2024.

A rep of the Minister of Finance, Prince Amoako-Yeboah indicated that similar exercise is ongoing at various regions and metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies across the country.

This, he said forms a huge foundation for building a viable and sustainable and a prospect society.

He said the minister appreciate the efforts of the analysts and urged them to work closely and assiduously to over challenges that may arise in budget implementation.

Government through the Finance Ministry, he said was able to secure a staff level agreement with the international monetary fund through the conceited efforts of all MMDCEs to ensure they take the lead to improve the legal foundation to support IGF mobilisation.

It is imperative for every assembly to elect a Presiding Member and entreated the MDCE and regional ministers to election smooth election of the PMs.

Government, he said is commitment to aid the integration projects and follow due process in implementing the budget through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information Systems (GIFMIS).

Priorities the ongoing projects to avoid judgement debts, and enhance transparency and accountability

Commenting on the 2024 election, he underscored the need for the stakeholders to exercise their constitutional rights and with the responsibility to ensure the election was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere whilst delivering on their core mandates without technical challenges.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensure the creations of a prosperous and viable economic development across the country.

This, according to him is instrumental in helping navigate in physical planning and management in their action plans and take initiatives to improve revenue mobilisation, take steps to pass bylaws to ensure smooth release of funds and proactive revenue generation.

He encouraged the district budget committees to follow due process to implement their approved budget, use of GIFMIS is a legal requirement and it’s incumbent on the DCEs ensure this are executed in line with the principles. The budget hearing chaired by the Regional Coordinating Director, Rev. Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo (Chief Director) also had Oti regional Budget Analyst, Dr. Samuel Darah, Human Resource Officer, Miss Janet Sambo, Regional Social Welfare Officer, Innocent Agbolosu; FDU-MOF, Prince Amoako-Yeboah and …, a rep of National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) Daniel Amofa.

They were taken through topic such as;

1. ASRH and STIs

2. Gender, SGBV and Child Marriage

3. Rights and Responsibilities of Child

4. Career and Guidance

They were also linked up with female professionals as mentors and rope models from various career fields.

He encouraged all security personnel present to reflect on the significance of peace and stability to the development of our dear nation and offer prayers for its sustenance.

The Honorable Minister reminded officers and men of the security services that their duty is to ensure that all Ghanaians—regardless of political affiliation—exercise their democratic rights in an environment that is peaceful, safe, and free from intimidation.

Commanding Officer (CO), 66 Artillery Regiment (66 Arty Regt) – Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Jalali Din Ibrahim, mentioned that the gathering signified the Security Services’ collective commitment to ensuring peace, unity and stability in the country.

He made the statement when addressing the audience during the regional launch of the DRIP initiative in Dambai, the capital of the region.

“The programme is expected to create direct jobs, stimulate local economic development and reduce post-harvest losses since farmers will have improved roads to transport their farm produce to the market and improve general service delivery across the country,” he said.

Distribution

Mr Machator mentioned that under the DRIP initiative, every Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies within the region will receive equipment such as Shackman Dump truck, Backhoe, Concrete Mixer, Roller, Bulldozer and Motor Grader among others.

The equipment, he said were procured by the government in collaboration with J. A Plant Pool to improve the road network across the country.

This, he said J A Plant Pool is expected to play a key role in providing maintenance support to the Assemblies unlike other models in the past.

Accountability

“To ensure there is efficiency and value for money for the MDAs in particular and the state as a whole, every MDA is required to submit a management committee for the equipment to eliminate completely the misuse of the machines. I would like to urge all traditional leaders to take keen interest in what happens to these machines,” he stated.

Mr Machator charged the MDAs to ensure proper usage of the equipment for the intended purpose and demanded for a good maintenance culture by the managers or engineers of the machines across the region.

“Permit me to indicate that the DRIP is the President’s initiative with the aim of enhancing the country’s road network by decentralizing road infrastructure development to the MMDAs,” he said.

He cautioned MDCEs and other stakeholders against the use of the machines for their personal gains, adding that government will not hesitate to deal ruthlessly with the perpetrators if caught in the act.

For his part, the Oti Regional Coordinator for J. A Pool, Abdulai Safian, said the project is expected to create over 5,000 jobs nationwide for the benefit of the citizenry.

He added that the about 32 mobile service vans have been deployed across the country to provide a 24/7 maintenance for the equipment.

According to him, as part of J. A Pool’s mandate, it seek to install tracking devices on the machines to ensure its effective usage and fuel management.

Personalities present were Oti Reginal Minister, all the nine MDCEs, Regional NPP Party Executives, the Chiefs, Regional and Municipal heads of departments.

He sought prayers and the support of all traditional authorities in the performance of his duties as Minister for the Oti Region and stated his tolerance for constructive criticism and their counsel.

His team visited some ongoing and completed projects in these Assemblies to inspect the progress of work. He assured them of the government’s resolve to complete and commission most of the projects by December so they could be put to use.

Accompanying him on the tour were Hon. Janet Emefa Adibo, DCE for Guan, Mrs. Elizabeth Anim Adjornor, MCE for Jasikan, Mr Evans Yaw Dapaah, Regional Chairman for the NPP, Mr. Jonathan Akpabeh, Regional Secretary, NPP among others.

According to the Minister, although the referral health facilities in the region are far apart from each other, the advanced emergency life-support ambulance service will help provide medical care to the patients on or before treatment.

Hon. Machator opined that advanced life-support ambulance will be needed when the routine ambulances picked case from the hospital and the condition of the patient worsen while on transit.

To him, already there are some ambulances in the region and to receive the Advanced Life Support Ambulance will serve as a backup to the emergency service delivery.

“There are cases and the conditions of the cases are above the old ambulances. We have the kind of care that is supposed to be given to them. Those people could be transferred into this ambulance and then ferried or taking to the next health facility or wherever the person has been recommended to be taken,” he noted.

Hon. Machator reiterated the commitment of the President Akufo-Addo/Bawumia led government to continue to prioritise health and the general well-being of the citizenry.

He encouraged the personnel of the ambulance service in the region to inculcate a good maintenance culture to ensure the vehicle serves its intended purpose.

“Whenever it is due for servicing, you should ensure that is actually service and whatever help or assistance that you will require, just mention to us. If it is within our means, we will do our best to help you so that the car will be kept at 100% efficiency always so that it will help in saving lives of the people of Oti region,” he stated.

For his part, Oti Regional Administration Manager and Principal Advanced Emergency Medical Technologist, Doku Joshua Amarh, said although the old ambulances were brought in by the government introduced 2020 to take care of the people but distances are far apart and there are situations whereby it picks a case, the condition of the place case will change and they will need advanced care.

The personnel, he said will be able to initiate peripheral intravenous lines in unconscious patients; maintain peripheral intravenous lines as well as initiate saline or similar locks in unconscious patients and draw peripheral blood specimens; insert an uncuffed pharyngeal airway device in the practice of airway maintenance.

This, he said will maintain during transport any intravenous medication infusions or other procedures which were initiated in a medical facility, if clear and understandable written instructions for such maintenance have been provided by the physician at the sending medical facility;

Perform electrocardiographic rhythm interpretation of ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, pulseless electrical activity, and asystole; and perform cardiac defibrillation with a manual defibrillator among other functions.

Accompanied by her management team, she paid a courtesy call to the office of the minister and sought the blessings of the Regional Coordinating Council as she embarks on a journey to bring the coveted crown to our region for the first time.

Hon. Daniel Machator pledged his unflinching support to her and promised to play an active role in ensuring her success at the pageant. He encouraged her to always endeavor to showcase the beautiful culture, market the economic potential and tourist attractions of our beloved Oti Region in all her performances.

Above are the pictures.

Mr. Dowuona-Hammond in his address informed members that the committee was a statutory committee and members were nominated to support management of the various Assemblies to deliver on their mandate. He enumerated the three (3) main roles of the committee as Mandatory, Advisory and Supporting.

He noted that, the mandatory role of the committee is to pursue management’s implementation of recommendations from internal and external Audit Reports , and implement directives from Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament. He advised management to fall on their committees to advise on such directives and invitations to PAC.

He informed the committees of their mandate to submit an Annual Report on its activities.

Mr. Dowuona-Hammond noted the advisory role of the committees in terms of Risk Management, Financial Controls and Internal Controls. He encouraged all the members to bring their expertise to bare on issues of good governance.

The Audit Committee chairpersons assured the representative of the Director-General, Mr. Hayford Dowuona-Hammond of their support to their respective Assemblies.

The District Chief Executive for Biakoye District Assembly, Hon. Millicent Kabuki Carboo briefed the meeting on the impact that her previous Audit Committee had made on her operations.

This marks a significant milestone in the government’s ongoing efforts to ascertain the Mineral Estimation on the Gyamlome -Wawaso Block.

It was refreshing to be taken through the exploration process on the exploration pad as His team had the opportunity to see and feel the raw ore deposits to be taken to the lab for further and necessary assessments.

The Regional Minister earlier attended a durbar of chiefs and people of Gyamlome during which He implored the exploration company to make use of the Community Liaison Committee that had been set up to promote engagement between the community, the project team, and other stakeholders.

Hon. Daniel Machator assured community members that the government would prioritize their welfare throughout the process and would only promote collaborations that would ensure the development of the community.

Above are the pictures.

Hon. Asenso also stated that plans were underway to get contractors back to the site on the Nkwanta-Dambai and the Borae-Chinderi stretches.

He mentioned that the government of President Akufo-Addo and Alhaji Dr. Bawumia has been instrumental in advancing road construction in the Oti Region and remains fully committed to doing even more to promote the general economic well-being and development of the people. The Hon. Minister Daniel Machator appealed to Hon. Asenso to fast-track those road projects to alleviate the hardships faced by commuters, reduce travel time, and boost economic activities.

She ended her speech by appealing to the constituents of Nkwanta North to vote for His Excellency  Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Ben Nador coming 2024 general election to continue the good work the New Patriotic Party is doing.

The Nkwanta North District Health Director who received the donation in his remarks thanked Her Excellency Hajia Samira Bawumia for the donation and also lamented the poor condition of health service delivery in the district due to lack of medical supplies.

He ended his remarks by appealing to both international and local NGOs, individuals and government to help improve the current health service delivery in Nkwanta North District in their own way.