The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, on Tuesday, held an Emancipation celebration and incorporated an induction segment for nine new Regional Development Officers (RDOs). The nine persons graduated under the ministry’s effort to build capacity of its staff complement in all its offices under its purview across the region, to ensure better satisfaction for community members.
Those persons would have already undertaken training at the level of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) with the overseers and assistant overseers’ programmes and with the new councillors of these entities.
Also, training would have been completed at the level of the Regional Executive Officers (REOs), Regional Democratic Councillors (RDCs) and with the ministries’ staff. The training lasted for six weeks.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Collin Croal stated that the RDOs will return to the ministry on August 28, 2012 when the practical work will begin.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Ganga Persaud advised the new officers to recognise themselves as ambassadors of the ministry and to retain a positive image.
The Emancipation celebration saw staff displaying African fashions and singing of folksongs, while they were reminded of the history of the slaves becoming emancipated.
An employee, Mr. David Washington, spoke on the significance of Emancipation, explaining to his other colleagues that Emancipation brought an end to slavery.
Minister within the Ministry, Norman Whittaker said that people must be reminded that the refreshments served in celebrating Emancipation were significant of these events to this generation and the previous generations.