The National Association of the Local Government Service Workers Union (LGSWU) of the Trades Union Congress on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 commenced its 12th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference at Winneba to elect new national executives for the Association.
The conference held under the theme “Transforming Local Government; The Role of Workers in Driving Sustainable Development” was used to celebrate the shared commitment of Local Government Workers and reaffirmed the workers dedication to the execution of Government’s policies and programmes aimed at solving the social needs of Ghanaians. The conference also sought to promote and uphold highest standards of professionalism as well as ensuring that the needs and concerns of its members were addressed.
Speaking in an address read on his behalf, the Head of the Local Government Service, Ing. Dr. Nana Ato Arthur, said that the theme resounded with the complexities of today’s local governance, especially in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Agenda 2030.
Touching on the role of local government workers in the attainment of the SDG Goal 16, Nana Ato Arthur called for the existence of strong institutions and staff with a secured effective administration and management of the decentralized local government system to meet the needs of the citizens.
He charged staff of the Local Government Service to adopt to the changing needs of the world by building their capacity on significant changes in the labour front with emphasis on the emerging digital space to navigate evolving dynamics in their field of work.
According to him, Local Government workers should leverage on technology to live up to their core mandate of serving the Government of the day in implanting its policies and programmes effectively to positively impact its citizens.
Nana Ato Arthur encouraged staff prioritize this change by adopting to the digital era with a swift rise of artificial intelligence which presents opportunities and challenges to addressing the social needs in this part of the world.
On his part the General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress, Dr. Yaw Baah urged members of the Local Government Service Workers Union work on its membership drive to have a formidable union to recon with.
He admonished members to consider electing leaders with the right attitude needed in dialoguing and engaging other unions for the general good of the Association.
The Municipal Executive for the Effutu Municipal Assembly, Hon. Alhaji Zubairu Kassim on his part noted that, Effutu was a place of cultural diversity and a home of tradition which attracts people from all parts of the world.
He entreated the union to use the period of the conference to brainstorm on issues militating against the welfare of its members and come up with resolutions geared towards building the trust workers have in their leadership.
Hon. Zubairu Kassim encouraged Local Government Staff to commit to their core mandate by reducing bureaucratic tendencies to help in the successful implementation of government policies and programmes for the general good of the populates.
STORY BY: CHARLES BAAH ABOAGYE – ISD
Last modified: August 14, 2024
