The Clerk to Ghana’s Legislature, Mr Emmanuel Anyimadu has urged Ghanaian workers to exercise a great zeal of discipline to enable them manage their time effectively in order to overcome the negative effects of stress for greater productivity at the workplace.
According to him, well disciplined staff at various places of work especially the public sector are necessary assets that propel the development of the country in general.
Mr Anyimadu made the call when he addressed participants made up of heads of departments and agencies drawn from selected public institutions at the end of a four day training session on effective time and stress management by the Parliamentary Training Institute in Parliament House, Accra.
“If you are discipline, you will concentrate on your work and finish on time, if you are discipline, you be able to overcome stress. Be discipline in what you eat and drink. Discipline is the secret of my life” he said.
Sharing his personal experience on how he effectively manage his time and the stress associated with the conduct of his work in a political environment, the Clerk emphasis the need for managers at all levels to follow laid down rules and regulations.
He also charged heads of institutions to develop administrative structures where they are lacking to help manage stress and time in the conduct of their work.
This he said will help them overcome the challenge of cutting corners that may end up piling up unnecessary stress on them.
“Obedience to rules helps a lot, If you want to be successful, obey rules” he stated.
Head of the Civil Service, Nana Agyekum Dwamena who was the guest of honour in commending the PTI for organising the continue exercise said Ghana must take a critical look at time management especially at public events.
He expressed concerns about how precious time which could have been used for productive purpose to enhance national development is always wasted in vain due to late start of functions in Ghana.
Mr Agyekum Dwamena challenged heads of departments to act as change agents by starting small in their Little corners and ways to engender progress.
To emphasise the value other countries place on the essence of effective time management, the Civil Service boss recounted with shock how a Managing Director of a train service company in Japan had to apologise to the whole nation on a national television just because the train had taken off just two seconds earlier than it supposed to depart even though no passenger missed the train.
On his part, Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu noted that Ghana’s bane for development has been indiscipline at all levels stating for instance the carnage on our roads, medical negligence, negative attitudes of public sector workers and challenges associated with the clearance of goods and services at the ports of entry.
The Tamale Central Member of Parliament noted the time has come for Ghana to take time much more seriously than we have done in the past.
“We take to many things for granted for instance, our tax our obligations and revenue mobilization, the GRA will wait until it misses its revenue targets before starting all over again” he observed.
Mr Haruna whiles congratulating PTI for organising the training emphasised the need for all citizens to dedicate time for stress management.
He also urged the participants especially the Parliamentary staff to go and make an impact with all they have learnt during the four day training.
The Minority leader proposed similar training exercise on stress management for MPs who described as being “stressed up” even to their pockets.
Acting Director of the PTI, Gloria Kumawu said the program was targeted at Directors from the Parliamentary service, the Judicial Service, the police service, Immigration, the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Ghana Revenue Authority, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Education, the Interior and Education.
Effective time management is an important step towards achieving results.
According to her the facilitators which were carefully selected both from in- house and externally imparted the participants with knowledge and practical skills to better manage their time effectively and become more productive, less stressed, more positive and have control of their lives.
She noted that a test run conducted at the end of the exercise indicates participants really benefited from the training.
Madam Gloria Kumawu disclosed that if the programme is successful appraised, it will be organise for leadership of Parliament, Committee Chairpersons and Ranking Members and eventually all Members of Parliament.
The Acting Director also hinted to run an advance version of the training exercise in future depending on resource availability.
By Christian Kpesese/ ghanamps.com
