The ISCCS outlines the guiding principles to foster comprehensive and sustainable collaboration and co-operation among the various Services, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) among others.

The ISCCS framework was developed in 2015 through a consultative process with the collaboration of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), SOEs and NGOs as part of efforts to deepen decentralization implementation.

The need for ISCCS has been emphasised in various national statutes including the 1992 constitution: Article 241 (3), the Local Governance Act, 2016, (Act 936) and the Local Government Service (Departments of District Assemblies) Commencement Instrument, 2009, L.I. 1961.

In view of this, the OHLGS has organised series of nationwide workshops to ensure proactive and strategic approach in addressing the inter-service dimensions of service delivery.

The workshops brought together Heads of Regional Departments and Agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations and Civil Society Groups across the country who explored opportunities for deepening collaboration to ensure value-addition in service delivery.

It provided representatives of institutions and agencies a deeper understanding of the need to foster collaborations and co-operation among public sector institutions for holistic service delivery.  

Dr Nana Ato Arthur, Head of Local Government Service,  said inter-institutional engagement and coordination is critical to establish the right environment for the achievement of common objectives to facilitate integrated service delivery.

He reiterated the importance of the ISCCS in mobilizing and building partnerships at all levels for national development and sustainability of national agenda for socio-economic development.

Dr Ato Arthur entreated participants to collaborate to ensure common understanding on development issues and harmonised local government programmes to avoid duplication of roles.   

He lauded the continued support of key stakeholders in the development and institutionalisation of the ISCCS.

Dr Esther Offei-Aboagye, a Local Governance Expert, took participants through the ISCCS  basic principles, focus areas, levels of collaboration as well as monitoring and evaluation.

Her presentation provided participants with in-depth understanding on the implementation of the ISCCS and levels of collaboration to sensitise the targeted authorities, on the legislative and policy provisions for the ISCCS.

The Regional Ministers lauded the efforts of the Service and pledged to deepen collaboration and co-ordination among the various agencies both at the Regional and District levels.

They assured the OHLGS of establishing a platform in accordance with the ISCCS for effective local governance engagement.

The workshops saw the presence of Nana Agyekum Dwamena, the Head of Civil Service who called on participants to keep abreast with the needs of citizens to help ensure meaningful engagements.

Also present were Mrs Mabel Amoako Atta, Director of Management and Technical Services and Mr Robert Odei Ntow, Director of Human Resource Manager from OHLGS who facilitated and gave insights to participants.