Interior Ministry launches service charter

By: Mary Mensah, ACCRA
Interior Ministry launches service charter
The Ministry of the Interior has launched a service charter that will provide information to members of the public, especially those who require its services.
The charter contains the vision, mission, core values, objectives, functions, services rendered and the fees charged among others.
It is also aimed at enhancing service delivery and providing a form of social contract with the ministry’s clients. Again, the charter is a promise that the ministry will deliver the various services within the time frame when the clients are able to fulfil its requirements.
Charter launch
Launching the charter at the first staff durbar of the ministry and a press soiree in Accra, the Minister, Mr Mark Owen Woyongo, said in addition to being responsible for the development of policy and co-ordination of activities of the various agencies under the ministry, it also offered direct services to the public.
The services include the issuance of work permit, indefinite residence permit, registration and naturalisation as citizens of Ghana, right of abode, registration of spouse and registration of minors as citizens of Ghana.
Other services are licensing of private security organisations, granting of auctioneers licences, exportation of dead bodies, permit for key cutting and permit to import and export guns.
Mr Woyongo said a committee would be constituted in the next few weeks to see to the smooth implementation of the charter and would, among others, make recommendation for sanctioning of officers who perform below expectation.
Media, staff commended
He commended 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.
Mr Woyongo stated that the media as the fourth estate of the realm had been given the mandate to act as the watchdog on activities of government and public officials on behalf of the public.
He noted that the media had executed that task to perfection over the years, giving praises where it was due and not shying away from offering constructive criticism.
The minister also appealed to the media to sensitise the public to assist and co-operate with the security agencies to ensure that the public continue to live in peace.
He also urged members of the public to assist the security agencies, by reporting suspicious movements in their communities.
Mr Woyongo expressed the hope that the media would cross-check all stories bordering on national security with the appropriate institutions before publishing them.
He thanked the staff and management of the ministry for their hard work and dedication and urged them to continue in that manner to ensure orderly development and peace in the country.
For his part, Mr James Agalga, the Deputy Minister, said the occasion was to provide an avenue for the ministry to evaluate it’s performance, correct the wrongs and reinforce the right actions.
“Ours is a human institution and we need to commit ourselves to improving upon our operations and practices as well as move ahead”, he said.
Mrs Adelaide Annor Kumi, the Chief Director of the ministry, expressed gratitude to the minister and his deputy for their able leadership, in spite of all the challenges.
Quick Read
The Ministry of the Interior has organised its first staff durbar and press soiree, at which it took stock of its activities and performances over the last 12 months.
Pull quote
“Ours is a human institution and we need to commit ourselves to improving upon our operations and practices as well as move ahead”,