Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Colonel Cyril Necku (rtd), Friday exhorted female employees of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to use their influence to improve the performance and dented image of the Division.
Colonel Necku made the call in his keynote address at the fifth national delegates' conference of the Customs Excise and Preventive Service Ladies Club (CEPSLAC) in Ho.
The conference was on the theme, "CEPS Ladies: Enhancing the Image of the Service through Patriotism, Honesty and Fairness."
Colonel Necku expressed the observation that women "generally uphold integrity, are meticulous and very diligent, men are reckless and take
reckless risks."
"Be agents of change in the institution," he told the delegates.
He expressed the observation that whereas it was easier for male employees to crumble to the attraction of women and thereby compromise their duty such could hardly be said of female employees.
Colonel Necku urged personnel of the Customs Division "to exhibit high values of integrity through selfless devoted service that would engender trust, improve perception and build strong partnership between clients and
other public sector institutions."
In a speech read on his behalf, the Commissioner of CEPS, Mr Edward R. K. Lanyon, said "our current public image deserves attention."
He said management "will continue to improve our business processes to remove the areas that create opportunities for officers to misconduct themselves."
Mr Lanyon asked the conference to deliberate on a study which indicated that "there are no senior female officers in the three Northern Collections" "because female officers refuse to go on transfers with a lot of excuses."
"You chose this profession to serve your nation everywhere you are sent."
He said issues such as lack of courtesy by some female personnel to traders and open extortion of money from importers by some of them must engage the attention of the conference.
Mama Agblatsu II, Queenmother of Ho-Bankoe, however urged managements to conduct the transfer of women with a "human face."
She said "while a cock could crow anywhere a hen needs a congenial environment to brood."
Mama Agblatsu said the stability of women in public service was crucial to ensuring family stability and constructive development of children.
Ms Cecilia Kobblah, President of CEPSLAC said the Club would continue its outreach programme to outstations to educate the members on "ethics and good morals."
She said earlier outreach programmes have helped members to perform "very well at their collections and they have conducted themselves very well."
Ms Kobblah said the outreach programmes have been of much help to management "since ladies refuse transfers without good cause thereafter."
She urged therefore urged management to help the club financially to enable it carrying out its programmes.