Leadership and membership of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana Ladies Club (CLOGSAGLAC) have expressed commitment to help build and promote efficiency in government institutions, particularly the Civil and Local Government Services through the use of digital technology.
The pledge was made at the First Quarter Meeting held in Accra, which was the maiden meeting since the newly inducted Executives assumed office.
Speaking on the theme; “Utilizing the Power of DigitAll in Building an Efficient Civil and Local Government Services. The role of CLOGSAGLAC”, the CEO of A-League Consult who doubles as the Managing Director of Koforidua Clinic, Mr John Affaidzi Appiah commended the leadership of CLOGSAGLAC for creating the platform for members to explore potentials in contributing to the efficiency of the service.
Touching on the numerous benefits of digital technology for Civil and Local Government Services, Mr. Appiah said, it fosters efficiency, flexibility, better communication and attracts younger employees to enable the services deliver on their mandates.
He noted that when female staff are acquainted with digital technology, they are able to deploy creative means to solve problems at all levels which in turn contributes to the achievement of organizational goals in government institutions.
This, he said, would bring private human capital development organizations and consultants on board for partnership and sponsorship purposes. He added that the move would also build and improve the capacity of female staff in the service right from entry level through to mid-level and senior level.
He urged members to embrace modernization in the Civil and Local Government Services to enhance efficiency. “Being abreast with digital technology builds your capacities as individuals to stand the test of time. So, do away with the perception which breeds fear that the more modernized the services, the higher rate of job losses,” he stressed.
He advised on the need for the Club to harness the power of social media to better tell its success stories of positively contributing to the modernization and improvement of civil society.
He further called on members to shy away from the negative perceptions, of “age and men-oriented field” associated with technology as such ideologies are counter-technology. He emphasized that members should be wary of addiction to technology as it is a reality. Thus, members should ensure that the use of technology while in the work environment, is relative to organizational productivity.
The Chief Executive Officer of G-Wealth Consult, Dr Rejoice Foli, speaking on Emotional Intelligence entreated members to make conscious efforts to develop their EI which would enable them use their skills and behavior to guide their emotions in order to gain personal benefits such as; greater career success, stronger personal relationships, increased optimism, confidence and better health.
Dr. Foli pointed out that EI provides effective leadership skills, improved communication, less workplace conflict, better problem-solving skills and increased likelihood of promotion.
Members were entreated to be easy on themselves, useful, visible, ready, change catalysts, and also think critically.
Dr Audrey Amoah, the Chairperson, called on women to join in the new wave of technological advancement. “Women, please get involved. Otherwise, we will leave you behind. The SDG goal says that ‘leaving no one behind’ but this one, if you don’t join, we’ll leave you behind,” she said.
She added that, “Technology has caught up with us and we have no choice but to get involved in delivering our mandate on advising the various political heads we work with, researches we have to carry through in the course of our work and then implementation of government policies.”
According to her, “If positive emotions increase optimism, confidence, creativity, hopefulness and ultimately better health, I think we should choose that one and let it reflect in our domestic and social relationships as well as at the workplace.”
Dr. Amoah reiterated the need for members to be change catalysts to help bridge the notion that public service was an “old age” work and that the youth dislike being employees of the services.
“The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement,” she concluded.
Dorcas Anorkor Addo, ISD
