Senior CEPS officials hold annual delegates conference

Ho, Nov. 24, GNA - Mr. Henry Acquah, Deputy Commissioner of Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) in-charge of Finance and Corporate Planning on Friday said Industrial Democracy in the Service calls for significant involvement of the rank and file of officers in decision-making through both formal and informal structures and processes.

He said it has therefore, become necessary for "a new thinking in the sharing of authority and responsibility at the workplace in order to create opportunities for co-existence".

Mr. Acquah said this in an address at the 16th Annual Delegates Conference of the Senior Staff Association of CEPS in Ho under the theme, "SSACEPS and the era of unionization - the way forward".

He said the management of CEPS was prepared to run an open door policy that fosters trust, consultation and mutuality of purpose adding that, efforts will be directed at ensuring effective employee relation.

"We need to work together to develop plans that reflect the continuing commitment of all parties towards encouraging greater levels of participation, consultation, cooperation and coordination in our work environment", he said.

He urged personnel to conduct themselves responsibly, no mater the circumstances they found themselves, knowing that the service is a strategic national institution.

Mr. Austin Gamey, Labour Consultant called on the Union and Management to cultivate the spirit of oneness and gear their efforts towards the enhancement of the Service.

He urged Management to operate an open administration and allow information to flow between them and the Union to forestall any confrontation.

Mr. Gamey, however warned the Union members not to take to strike actions to settle their grievances but rather sit with management to dialogue.

He charged the Union to prevail on members to work harder than before for better returns.

"Team up with the Management in solving some of your operational problems and remember to put in programmes that will let you enjoy your pension but not to live as paupers after retirement ", he advised.
Mr. Christopher Larweh, National chairman of SSACEPS said unionism did not mean holding management and government to ransom but strengthening vertical and horizontal channels of communication.

He therefore called on staff of the Service to support management and union executives to fight challenges facing the service.
Mr. Samuel Gyako-Smith, National Chairman of Value Added Tax (VAT) PSWU called on the Service to forge appropriate linkages with sister institutions for the eventual realization of maximizing total tax revenue.

Mr. Fredua Agyeman, Ho Sector Commander, who chaired the function said it was an undeniable fact that a direct correlation exists between enhanced staff welfare and productivity saying management in cognisant of this has, over the years made a number of interventions to improve the lot of staff.

He said one of these interventions was a draft on Human Resources Policies and Procedures, prepared by the Ghana Employers Association and released by management, which comprehensively addressed relevant welfare questions such as retirement benefits, promotion and succession plan, among others.

There were solidarity messages from the Junior Staff Association of the Custom and Excise Preventive Service JSACEPS and the Federation of the Association and Unions of National Revenue Agencies (FAUNRA).

GNA
 

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