Mr Mark Owen Woyongo, Minister of the Interior, has held the first staff durbar and press soiree to interact with officials of the Ministry, as well as media practitioners, to strengthen the already existing good working relationship with the staff and the media a ceremony in Accra.
Mr Woyongo used the occasion to launch the Ministry?s Service Charter that will provide information to its clientele, with the view of enhancing service delivery.
It is a form of social contract with the Ministry?s clientele and a promise that the Ministry will deliver the various services within the time frame, when clients are able to fulfill the requirements.
Mr Woyongo indicated that a committee will be constituted in the next few weeks to see to the smooth implementation of the Charter.
The charter contains the vision, mission, core values, objectives, functions, implementing departments, services rendered and fees charged.
The Minister explained that in addition to being responsible for the development of policy and coordination of activities of various agencies under the Ministry, it also offers direct services to the public, including work permit, indefinite residence permit, immigration quota, renunciation of Ghanaian citizenship, dual nationality/citizenship, registration and naturalization as citizens of Ghana, Right of abode, registration of spouse, registration of minor as citizen of Ghana.
Other services, he said, are licensing of private security organizations, permission to import and export, granting of auctioneers? explosives, granting of auctioneers licenses, exportation of dead bodies, permit for key cutting and permit to import and export guns.
He praised the media for a good work done, and advised that reportage on security issues should be done with the utmost circumspection, because of their sensitive nature.
The Minister also appealed to the media to sensitize the public to assist and co-operate with the security agencies, to ensure that Ghanaians continue to live in peace.
He urged Ghanaians to assist the security agencies, by reporting suspicious movements in our communities, especially the illegal possession of arms and ammunition.
He expressed his hope and wish that the media would cross-check all facts regarding national security with the appropriate institutions before publishing news items.
Government is committed to ensuring that Ghana and Ghanaians continue to enjoy peace and stability, to enable us all go about our economic and social activities.
He thanked staff and management for the hard work, and urged them to continue in that manner, to ensure orderly development and peace in the country.
Mr James Agalga, Deputy Minister, said the occasion was to evaluate the Ministry?s performance, correct the wrongs and reinforce the right actions.
Mrs Adeliade Annor Kumi, Chief Director, expressed her gratitude to the Minister and his Deputy for their able leadership, in spite of all the challenges.
She thanked the media for the support, noting that the interaction was the first in a series in line with the open door policy of the Ministry.
GNA
