The Ga West Municipal Assembly has organized an in-house training and capacity building programme for Heads of Departments and Units on the 2026 Performance Contract to strengthen service delivery, accountability and institutional performance within the Assembly.

The training, held at the Assembly Hall on Tuesday, 12^th May 2026, formed part of efforts to ensure the successful implementation and assessment of the 2026 Performance Contract under the Local Government Service.

In a presentation, the Head of Development Planning, Madam Cynthia Bonsah, took participants through the seven Key Performance Areas (KPAs) outlined in the performance contract framework. These included General Administration, Human Resource Management, Financial Management and Reporting, Infrastructure, Social Services, Local Economic Development, and Environment and Sanitation.

Madam Bonsah explained the various Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), service delivery standards and timelines expected from the departments and units of the Assembly. She stressed the need for professionalism, transparency, accountability, participation, client focus and efficient use of resources in the execution of the Assembly’s activities.

 Issues affecting the functionality of the Client Service Unit, noting that poor coordination and delays in responding to complaints were major challenges confronting the unit. According to her, many complaints received through the Client Service Unit are not adequately followed up with feedback from action officers, affecting effective service delivery.

Concerns were also raised about the Records Management Unit, indicating that the current office environment for the records unit is congested and not conducive for efficient operations, as staff work in the same space with archived documents and files.

On information dissemination, she observed that some departments undertake activities without informing the Information Services Department and the Management Information Systems (MIS) Unit, making it difficult for stories and activities of the Assembly to be updated regularly on the Assembly’s website.

She therefore encouraged all departments to consciously involve the Information Services Department in their activities to ensure proper documentation and publication of programmes and projects undertaken by the Assembly.

Addressing participants, the Municipal Chief Executive for Ga West, Hon. John Desmond Sowah Nai, described the workshop as timely and important, especially at a period when demands for accountability, efficiency, transparency and measurable results in public service delivery continue to increase.

He stated that the performance contract system is a requirement for all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and is backed by the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), which mandates the Local Government Service to set performance standards and monitor performance within the decentralised local governance system.

Hon. Sowah Nai noted that Heads of Departments constitute the operational engine of the Assembly, adding that the success or failure of the Assembly’s performance targets largely depends on their commitment, professionalism and responsiveness to duty.

He urged participants to actively engage in the workshop discussions, ask questions and contribute meaningfully towards building a result-oriented institutional culture capable of improving local governance and service delivery.

The MCE further encouraged officers to report challenges confronting their departments to management for the necessary support and intervention.

In her closing remarks, the Municipal Coordinating Director, Mrs. Louisa Benon, commended staff for their commitment and participation throughout the training programme.

She urged departments and units to demonstrate the same level of seriousness in their various offices to ensure that the Assembly achieves its performance targets.

Mrs. Benon noted that good performance by the Assembly would attract more development projects and recognition, while poor performance could lead to sanctions for responsible officers.

She disclosed that rewards and incentives would be introduced locally to motivate departments and officers who excel in the performance assessment exercise.

The Municipal Coordinating Director assured staff of management’s commitment to supporting departments to overcome challenges and achieve the Assembly’s goals under the 2026 Performance Contract framework.

SOURCE: DORCAS ASANTEWAA OSEI ISD-GWMA.