The Office of the Head of Local Government Service (OHLGS), in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) and the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development (MLGDRD), has embarked on a coaching exercise aimed at strengthening the capacity of ten newly selected Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) across the country. The initiative, supported by UNICEF, is focused on implementing an integrated social services framework and ensuring a holistic service delivery mechanism.
The coaching exercise, which began on Monday, August 19, 2024, at the Bekwai Municipal Assembly Conference Room, is scheduled to run for four days. It is targeting staff in the Social Welfare and Community Development Departments, as well as two staff members from the Information Technology (IT) Unit in each of the selected MMDAs.
The primary objective of the training is to enhance the participants' knowledge and skills in utilizing the Social Welfare Information Management System (SWIMS) and improve overall case management processes. The SWIMS platform is a key tool in ensuring efficient social service delivery by enabling the accurate management and tracking of social welfare cases, particularly those involving vulnerable populations.
The opening ceremony was attended by several high-profile officials, including the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Kwaku Kyei Baffour, who delivered the keynote address. In his speech, the MCE emphasized the importance of social service integration in local governance and encouraged participants to take full advantage of the coaching to enhance service delivery in their respective offices.
The Municipal Coordinating Director (MCD), Dr. Francis Owusu Ansah, followed with his remarks, underscoring the need for continuous professional development and effective collaboration among key stakeholders to achieve the desired social service outcomes.
Also in attendance was the Director of Human Resources at the OHLGS, Mr Asante, who introduced the facilitators from the MoGCSP, MLGDRD, and the project coordinator from the OHLGS, Mr. Peter Acquah. The facilitators are expected to guide participants through the various aspects of SWIMS and case management, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle the demands of the new system.
The coaching exercise is part of a broader effort to modernize social service delivery across Ghana, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive timely and effective support through an integrated approach. By empowering local government staff with the necessary tools and knowledge, the initiative seeks to strengthen the overall capacity of MMDAs to manage social welfare cases more efficiently.
The event in Bekwai marks the first leg of the coaching exercise, with subsequent sessions planned for other districts in the coming weeks.
Share Everywhere
