The Upper West Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) has instituted workers durbar to help achieve greater efficiency, effectiveness, responsiveness and also guarantee good performance of workers in the Region for sustainable social and economic progress.

The durbar also seeks to bring together key stakeholders in the various districts to deliberate, review, educate and address pertinent issues to ensure efficient discharge of duties by public sector workers.

As part of the action plan and activities developed to guide the RCC operationalise its work, all regional and district Heads of Department (HODs) have been directed to ensure workers salaries are validated on time.

The HODs are also to avoid using commercial internet cafes to carry out the Electronic Salary Payment Voucher (E-SPV).

On security matters, the Regional, Municipal and District Police commanders are also to take robust steps to intensify patrols on major trunk roads identified as grounds for incessant armed robbery attacks.

Speaking during Regional HODs meeting on Tuesday in Wa, the Upper West Minister, Alhaji Alhassan Sulemana, expressed gratitude that members availed themselves again to continue discussion on the business of improving lives of the people.

He said: “I want us to continue with our workers’ durbars. The report of the first one held at Wa East has been forwarded to you, let us review it and prepare for the second one to be held in Wa West anytime soon.”

However, he expressed worry at the many HODs absenting themselves from RCC meetings without notification and cautioned those liable to stop.

“Another is that officers’ leave the region without any notification to the RCC, so many things can happen in your absence, which will require that we ask of you. Henceforth, we shall monitor you on this and act appropriately,” he said.

“I wish to bring to your notice of our planned unannounced visits to your offices to interact with you and your staff; also we will require copies of your annual action plans by close of next week.”

The Minister explained that the action plan would help the RCC have fruitful engagement with the officers and their staff as well as assist in monitoring their activities.

Alhaji Sulemana also said some months ago the Council started community engagements to encourage communities’ participation in their quest to fight crime in the region.

He said that the Regional Security Council would continue that engagement but said: “we also require the support of heads of department in whatever way possible to manage crime in the region.”

He said the implementation of government flagship programmes and other programmes of national are were ongoing and advised members to take advantage of them.