Bolgatanga, April 8, GNA - Mr. Mahami Salifu, Upper East Regional Minister on Thursday made it clear that his administration would not intimidate civil servants who are on the other side of the political divide, but that civil servants should discharge their duties diligently.

"We appreciate that this year is a critical one because it is an election year. We would not intimidate people who support other political parties but we expect that as civil servants you would be responsible enough to do the work expected of you".

Mr. Salifu was addressing a meeting of heads of departments and workers at the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) in Bolgatanga. It was convened to introduce the incoming Regional Co-ordinating Director (RCD), Mr. David Bakari, to public servants in the region.

The Regional Minister expressed concern about the continuous leakage of official information and said as civil servants, they should know that the oath of secrecy still exists and is operational, adding that should there be any grievances they should be directed through the right channels and not through leakages of official information.

He called for an end to the malpractice, and warned that culprits who would be found would be dealt with according to the civil service disciplinary code.

He noted that morale among workers of the RCC was low, which he said affects output. He therefore advocated for the institution of morale boosting measures to ensure that workers of the Council give out their best. The Regional Minister suggested the institution of a welfare fund, the buying of simple working tools for the protocol sections of the Council, refund of medical expenses and the designing of uniform for kitchen staff.

Mr. Salifu called on workers to adopt the culture of managing official resources wisely and avoid waste, adding that every penny of material used is the contribution of taxpayers, which must be accounted for.

He further called for mutual respect between senior officers and their subordinates saying, "you as superior officers must know that there is dignity in every human being. The tendency to suppress subordinates must be halted".

In a word, Mr. Bakari called on civil servants in the region to avoid taking alcohol while at work and warned that anybody found in such a situation would be disciplined without reservation.

He noted that working in unison increases output, which he said is the ultimate requirement of every civil servant, and called for teamwork in the various government establishments in the region.

Until his recent appointment as Regional, Mr. Bakari was District Co-ordinating Director at the Bawku East Municipal Assembly.