I Won't Countenance Non-Performance - Bede Ziedeng

Northern Region�s new Minister, Mr Bede Ziedeng, has sounded a caution to all heads of civil and public institutions in the region that he would not countenance non-performing and ineffective leadership on the part of any of them. He said he was prepared to work with those who were up to the task of meeting the aspirations of the people and the targets set for them. After formally assuming office last Tuesday morning, the minister told a gathering of district chief executives (DCEs) and heads of public institutions in the region that he was coming into office with his own marking scheme. �The former minister had his own marking scheme which he used to judge which of you was doing his or her work for the advancement of the region. I am also coming with my own marking scheme and I expect you all to pass or be prepared for any consequences,� he stated. He said as a new minister, he was assuming office with an open mind and therefore had no biases or prejudice in favour of or against any public or civil servant. �One of the pillars of the president�s administration is good governance and so I will be operating an open and accountable government, but that does not mean that anybody can abuse it,� Mr Ziedeng added. He also cautioned the various heads of institutions from showing, publicly, any support or bias towards any political party or hold themselves responsible for the consequences. Mr Ziedeng was introduced to the DCEs and heads of institutions by the immediate former Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba, who also entreated them to extend the same level of support and co-operation they gave to him to the new minister. �Whilst I was in office, we chalked up some successes collectively and I thank you all for the support,� he stated. Mr Mabengba recounted some of the major development projects that had been implemented during his four year tenure as deputy and substantive minister. Mr Ziedeng said he was happy to be taking over a region that was relatively calm and refuted claims that the region was unmanageable. He charged the various heads of institutions and local government officials to work together and paint a new image about the region.