– Dr Nana Ato Authur, Head of the Local Government Service (LGS) has asked
staff of Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs), Metropolitan, Municipal and
District Assemblies (MMDAs) to take their annual leave to avoid overcrowding in
their various offices.
A statement signed
by Dr Ato Arthur and copied to the Ghana News Agency said: “the LGS has
noted with concern the overcrowded nature of some of its offices in the RCCs
and MMDAs, which may breach the Ghana Health Service directives on keeping at
least (2) metres apart and social distancing.”
It therefore advised
staff of the RCCs and MMDAs to take their annual leave to reduce overcrowding
in the various offices to prevent the spread of the CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19).
Dr Ato Arthur
according to the statement tasked RCCs and MMDAs to adopt flexible working
practices to prevent the spread of the (COVID-19).
He recommended a
flexible shift system, Time off in Lieu, Encourage staff to take their annual
leave and working from home if possible as some of the practices.
“These flexible
working practices should be done without compromising the quality of work
output.”
The statement said
Chief Directors/Regional Coordinating Directors and Directors who adopted any
of these flexible working practices to take the necessary steps to ensure that
efficient and effective systems and processes were put in place to comprise
service delivery at the various levels.
The statement said
the COVID-19 pandemic globally continues to pose a threat to the health and
safety of Ghanaians and as at Wednesday, 25th March, 2020, Ghana’s
number of confirmed cases had increased to 68 with three deaths as announced by
the Minister of Health, Dr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu.
The statement said
the current development required that additional precautionary measures were
put in place to ensure the health and safety of staff and stakeholders.
“In view of the
above, all RCCs and MMDAs are to suspend the Biometric Electronic Clocking
System till further notice and are encouraged to adhere to the precautionary
measures stated by the Ministry of Health (MoH) to regular and thorough washing
of hands with soap under running water and use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers,
Avoid shaking hands, Keep a distance of at least two meters from a person with
fever, cough, sneezing and difficulty in breathing.”
The statement
according to the MoH measures also advised all
to be physically active, drink plenty of water, eat healthy, avoid
stress and have enough sleep, Stay home if they feel unwell with symptoms of
fever, cough and difficulty in breathing and call : 0509497700, 0558439868.
It said Adherence to
the above directives is key to the safety of staff.
GNA