Koforidua, May 17, GNA - Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Eastern Regional Minister has called on civil servants in the Region to endeavour to change the negative public perception about them. He expressed concern about the negative perception of the public about the functions of ministries, departments, agencies and the lackadaisical attitude of civil and public servants who close before 1700 hours especially on Fridays.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo made the call during a visit to some ministries, departments and agencies in the Region to interact with the workers. He urged the sector directors and managers to ensure their staff work efficiently and effectively.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo observed that with the current attitude of workers at the MDAs, it would be difficult for any government to achieve its target of high productivity and fair wages for workers. Alarmed with the constraints at some of the departments, he assured the workers to discuss their plight with the various sector ministers to find solutions.

Accompanied by Mr Babal Jamal Mohamed, Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, they toured Ghana Health Service (GHS) Directorate, Ghana Education Service (GES), Information Services Department (ISD), Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) and Department of Children and Women.

The rest were Audit Service, Births and Deaths Registry, Statistical Service, Factories Inspection Directorate, Lands Valuation Board, Stool Lands Administration, Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Ministry of Trade and Industry and Department of Co-operatives. Most of the workers complained of financial constraints, lack of logistics and modern equipments, inadequate staffing and use of pre-paid meters.

Some of the government departments had no lights and complained of persistent power cuts which affected production, low allowances, delay in subvention and poor condition of service. 17 May 09