If you want to engage in open politics, resign and join us - U/W Regional Minister to civil servants

Some staff of the Sissala West District Assembly are alleged to be engaging in doing open politicking at the work place, the Upper West Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih has said.

Without mincing words, he revealed he had been informed that some staff of the Assembly found to be indisciplined at the work place were said to be those with links with the governing New Patriotic Party, NPP.

Against this backdrop, the Minister issued a stern warning to such people to desist from the act as it is an unacceptable conduct from a civil servant.

He indicated that the involvement of civil servants in doing party politics in the line of work affects the work of the authorities at the top and therefore urged any civil servant who has the intention of doing active politics to resign from his work in order to be able to take part in party politics.


"One of the challenges here is that people do open politics. I'm not going to mince words. I'm told if you want those who are not disciplined, they are those who have links with the governing New Patriotic Party. That's what I'm told is happening in this office. And as indicated by Chief Director, please, if you want to do politics, resign and come and join us. You can't be a civil servant and be doing politics. It's unacceptable! Because, you make our work difficult. You must ensure that people do the right thing. So please, henceforth, we are not going to tolerate any open politicking, partisanship in any government institution. The country is governed by rules and regulations. If we close our eyes to certain things, the whole country will be thrown into turmoil. So I want those of you who do open politics here, to put a stop to it," he cautioned.



He warned those who have turned the work place as their political tool to stop it immediately before an action is taken against them so they do not turn around to accuse people wrongly for their plight.

"Apart from the DCE, the rests of you are barred from doing open politics," he added.

The Regional Minister gave the warning on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, during his first day of his tour of the region as part of the Regional Minister's administrative duties occasionally taken to assess the performance of Municipal and District Assembles and heads of Decentralised Departments.

The tour which began yesterday will see him pay courtesy calls on the Paramount Chiefs of the districts, interact with staff of the district Assemblies as well as heads of decentralized departments.

Dr. Bin Salih as part of the tour paid a courtesy on the Gwollu Korro at his palace.

Responding to some developmental challenges raised by the Palace, Dr. Hafiz assured the Chief of the government's commitment to give the district it's fair share of the national cake.

The Minster stated: "As we speak, a number of roads in the Sissala districts have been awarded on contract to be graded. What I cannot promise is the tarring of roads. But there are quite a substantial number of roads that the Department of Roads will award. I believe that by next week, the award letters will be out. The Ghana Highway Authority has also awarded portions of the Tumu-Gwollu-Hamile road for grading. But I cannot assure you of tarring," the Regional Minister.

Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih also disclosed that the stalled work on a bridge in the area being executed by National Security would soon be completed.

He also pledged to the Chief and his people of his intent to appeal to the Northern Development Authority to consider constructing a library edifice for the people in honour of former President Dr. Hilla Liman.

According to him, the construction of the library is one that is dear to his heart due to the honour and dignity Dr. Hilla Liman brought to the region.

He said the former President had served the country "with distinction and honesty" and therefore deserves everything to propagate his legacy.

According to the Minister, till today, no one can appoint accusing fingers at Dr. Hilla Liman (for bad governance).

On the first day of the tour, the Minister and his team started from the Sissala West District and then at the Sissala East District.




Source: Upper West Blog