LGS Seeks Inter-sectoral Cooperation

The Local Government Service (LGS) has organized inter-service and sectoral collaboration workshop to help state organizations partner among themselves to improve upon service delivery.

The first regional workshop which commenced in the Upper West Region on Monday is expected to enhance existing collaboration and cooperation among institutions and agencies of the state.

In a speech read on his behalf, Alhaji Alhanssan Sulemana, the Upper West Regional Minister, said it is important that state organizations work together to improve service delivery to the citizenry.

'In this way we can avoid the issues of overlaps and duplications from functions,' he said.

Inter service and sectoral collaboration and cooperation would encourage planning and implementation of programmes and projects at the regional and district levels.

'Hence the need for an inter-service and sectoral collaboration at the local level cannot be overemphasized,' he said.

Dr Nana Ato Arthur, the Head of the Office of the Local Government Service, whose speech was also read on his behalf, said in the discharge of mandates of state institutions, some issues of overlaps, duplications and conflicts might occur during the planning and implementation of projects and programmes.

The resolution of such issues to ensure effective service delivery, he said, required an effective inter-service and sectoral inter-collaboration and cooperation mechanisms.

He said such mechanisms among institutions helped to facilitate unity of efforts, fosters common understanding on development issues, provides a common platform to work, enhances achievement of objectives and serves as an effective system for integrated service delivery.

He said the system takes various forms including inter-institutional engagement, networking and communication, coordination of functions, resource and service sharing, capacity development, definition of reporting relationships, conflict resolution and joint service delivery among others.

This Inter-Service and Collaboration and Cooperation System was developed for adoption and use by all partners on the strength of the provisions in the Local Service Act2003 (Act656).

The act was amended into the Local Government Service, 2016, (Act936) section 63(4) (c).

It states: 'The head of the Local Government Service shall establish systems of effective inter-service and sectoral collaboration and co-operation between the service and other public services to harmonise local government programmes and avoid duplication with the approval of the council'.

The expected impact of the system includes improved legal, constitutional, regulatory and institutional conflicts as well as judicious use of resources and improved participation.

It also enhances transparency and accountability in service delivery, improved local economy, poverty reduction, employment generation and general rise in household income, enhance social cohesion, gender mainstreaming in service delivery and improved environmental conditions.

'We have organized this forum to remind ourselves of the importance and benefit we would realize from collaborating and cooperating at all levels for national development,' Dr Arthur said.

Without this, he said, the government agenda for economic transformation may face sustainability challenges after the facilities have been approved.