African Dev’t Bank Ombudsman visits Ghana

The African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Ombudsman, Amabel Orraca Ndiaye, visited the AfDB’s Ghana Field office (GHFO) from July 11 to 13, 2012 as part of an annual outreach and sensitization programme of the Office of the Ombudsman.

Officials of the Bank say, the objectives of the Ombudsman’s visit were to sensitize staff on resolving work place grievances using the resources available within the AfDB, and to make staff aware of their role in creating a more respectful and productive work environment.

Mrs Orraca Ndiaye was received by the AfDB’s resident representative in Ghana, Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade.

According to a statement issued by the AfDB, during a plenary session Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade was of the view that the visit would be an opportunity for the GHFO staff to fully understand the Ombudsman’s role.

Mrs Orraca Ndiaye in turn, gave a presentation themed ‘Creating and Sustaining a Civil and Respectful Workplace Environment at the Field Office’. The presentation and ensuing discussion centred around topics including reviving the AfDB’s five core values – dealing with working relationships in the face of the increasing diversity in the AfDB; understanding various types of work place conflicts as well as the AfDB’s Conflict Resolution Mechanism; and knowing the grievance procedures available for field office staff in the AfDB’s informal resolution system.

Mrs Orraca Ndiaye also had one–on-one meetings over the three-day period to discuss issues raised by staff members and consider possible solutions.

By Ekow Quandzie