Leadership and membership of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana Ladies Club (CLOGSAGLAC) have expressed commitment to help build and promote efficiency in government institutions, particularly, the Civil and Local Government Services by the use of digital technology.

The Club has, however, called for an all-inclusive approach to promote efficiency in the Civil Service and the Local Government Service.

The pledge was made at the Club’s 1st Quarter Meeting held in Accra, which was the maiden meeting since the newly inducted Executives assumed office. 

Speaking on the theme dubbed; “Utilizing the Power of DigitAll in Building an Efficient Civil and Local Government Services. The role of CLOGSAGLAC”, the CEO of A-League Consult who doubles as the Managing Director of Koforidua Clinic, commended the leadership of CLOGSAGLAC for creating the platform for Its members to explore potentials of contributing to efficiency in the Services.

In his presentation, among other things, the Consultant advised the need for the Club to harness the power of social media to better tell its success stories of positively contributing to the modernization and improvement of the Civil society.

This, he said, would bring private human capital development organisations and consultants on board for partnership and sponsorship purposes. He added that the move would also build and improve the capacity of female staff of the Services right from entry level through to mid-level and senior level.

On the other hand, he urged members to embrace modernization in the Civil and Local Government Services to enhance efficiency. “Being abreast of digital technology builds your capacities as individuals to stand the test of time. So, do away with the perception which breeds fear that the more mordernised the Services, the higher rate of job losses”, he stressed.

He further called on members to shy away from the negative perceptions, “age and men-oriented field” associated to technology as such ideologies are counter-technology. He emphasized that members should be weary of addiction to technology as it is a reality. Thus, members should ensure that the use of technology while in the work environment, is relative to organizational productivity.

Touching on the numerous benefits of digital technology for the Civil and Local Government Services, Mr. Appiah said, it fosters efficiency, flexibility, better communication and attracts younger employees to better enable the Services deliver on their mandates.

He noted that when female staff are acquainted with digital technology, they are able to deploy creative means to solve problems at the Unit and Departmental levels which in turn contributes to achievement of organizational goals in government institutions as a whole.

For her part, Dr. Mrs. Rejoice Foli, the Chief Executive Officer, G-Wealth Consult, speaking on Emotional Intelligence, said success in the workplace is determined less by Intellectual Quotient (IQ) and more by Emotional Intelligence (EI). “EI is nothing but maturity and character which is largely learnt and it is necessary for people to work together in harmony towards the organisation’s goals”, she added.

She entreated members to make conscious efforts to develop their EI which will enable them use their skills and behavior to guide their emotions in order to gain personal benefits such as; greater career success, stronger personal relationships, increased optimism and confidence and better health.

Touching on the professional benefits of Emotional Intelligence, Dr. Foli noted that it brings about; effective leadership skills, improved communication, less workplace conflict, better problem solving skills and increased likelihood of promotion.

Members were entreated to choose to be; easy on oneself, useful, visible, ready, change catalyst and also think critically as all were behaviours needed to be efficient.

Dr. Mrs. Audrey Amoah, who was the Chairperson for the occasion, in a closing remarks, called on women to join in the new wave of technological advancement. “Women, please get involved. Otherwise, we will leave you behind. The SDG goal says that ‘leaving no one behind’ but this one, if you don’t join, we’ll leave you behind”, she said.

She added that, “technology has caught up with us and we have no choice than to get involved in delivering our mandate on advising the various political heads we work with, researches we have to carry through in course of our work and then implementation of government policies”.

According to her, “If positive emotions increase optimism, confidence, creativity, hopefulness and ultimately better health, I think we should choose that one and let it reflect in our domestic and social relationships as well as at the workplace”.

Dr. Amoah reiterated the need for members to be change catalyst to help bridge the notion that public service was an “old age” work and that the youth dislike being employees of the Services.

“The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement”, she concluded.