The visit, running from January 13th to 16th, 2026, aims to bridge the gap between national policy and local implementation. It began Monday at the Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) in Koforidua with a staff durbar.

Prof. Mensah stated the tour is designed to gain “firsthand insight into administrative practices” to ensure policy is shaped by reality. “Effective policy direction must be informed by operational realities,” he emphasized.

A Four-Pillar Vision for Reform

Addressing staff, Prof. Mensah outlined his core agenda for transforming the Service, built on four key pillars:

1. Data-Driven Decisions: Using credible data to guide postings, promotions, and resource allocation to “enhance efficiency and eliminate perceptions of bias.”

2. Professionalism: Cultivating a “disciplined, competent, and ethical workforce” as the foundation of service delivery.

3. Public-Private Partnerships: Charging the RCC to actively strengthen collaborations with the private sector.

4. Fiscal Decentralization: Improving local financial management systems for greater accountability and sustainable decentralization.

He also called for strict adherence to procedures, punctuality, and respect for reporting lines, citing “indiscipline and weak supervision” as ongoing hurdles to efficiency.

Regional Leadership Highlights Operational Hurdles

In his response, the Chief Director of the Eastern RCC, Ebenezer Amoah, welcomed the visit as a sign of shared commitment to stronger local governance.

However, Amoah outlined significant challenges impeding the Council’s work:

* Limited logistics and an inadequate vehicle fleet.

* Unreliable internet connectivity.

* Funding constraints that hamper effective monitoring and service delivery.

He appealed for increased support, particularly to bolster the monitoring and evaluation of Municipal and District Assemblies across the region.

The visit will continue throughout the week with stops at selected Municipal and District Assemblies for further consultations.