Accra, March 9, GNA - The Controller and Accountant General's Department (CAGD) on Friday took delivery of 61 brand new Toyota Corolla salon cars, valued at 4,941, 000 dollars for its Directors and Chief Accountants nationwide to motivate them.

Mr Christian Sottie, Controller and Accountant General, at a short ceremony in Accra, said the vehicles were purchased with a loan from the Ghana Commercial Bank, which would be deducted from the salaries of beneficiaries over a five-year period. He mentioned beneficiaries as only dedicated workers in the criteria set and said the vehicles were part of decisions by Management aimed at motivating and making work and movement easier for its Directors and Chief Accountants.

He explained that the CAGD embarked on massive reforms in 2005 through staff reshuffle and reduction to make it more efficient in its service to the public.

Mr Sottie said the Department also instituted measures to award staffs for punctuality and dedication to work, and further provide a clean, safe and conducive working environment for its workers. "The vehicles are just a manifestation of the implementation of the various plans of Management to boost the morals of workers for their invaluable and selfless contributions to the national economy." Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, who presented the keys to a representative of the beneficiaries, urged the workers to invest their lives in their jobs and lay solid foundations in terms of their welfare issues. He acknowledged the high temptations and challenges that often confronted workers of the Department, but said, "we need to be honest with ourselves and in the work we do and set our priorities right." Mr Baah-Wiredu expressed appreciation to the workers for their commitment towards extended working hours without complain and assured them of better working conditions.

He said it was the interest of government to ensure national growth through its human resource development and advised against complacency, saying "no body will build our nation for us unless we build it ourselves."