Soil Research Institute Holds Annual Staff Durbar and Send-Off Ceremony for 16 Retired Staff
The Soil Research Institute (SRI) has held its annual staff durbar and also a send-off ceremony for sixteen (16) members of staff who retired from active service in 2020. The event which took place at the conference room of the Institute on the 22nd December, 2020 was held to address the challenges faced by some members of staff and also award the retirees for their long service to the Institute.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Mohammed Moro Buri, the director of Soil Research Institute expressed gratitude to the Almighty God for bringing the year to a successful end and also commended the Board of Directors, the Internal Management Committee (IMC) and all staff for their immense contribution in shaping the Institute. He touched on some challenges the Institute faced in the year. Key among them was the Covid-19 pandemic, funding constraints for research work, delay in request for soil policy, the Institute’s vehicle in court, encroachment of Institute’s lands and the low staff strength. Prof. Buri also mentioned that the Institute has made some good strides notwithstanding the challenges. Notable among them was the approval of the strategic plan by the Board of Directors and the progress in the number of research projects. He also informed members that management has reached an advanced stage in acquiring accreditation for the Institute’s laboratory.
He noted that even though the lease for the Institute’s lands has been signed, plans are far advanced for the lease to be gazetted at the Lands Commission. He touched on promotions for Senior Members, Senior Staff and Junior members and also mentioned that renovation works have started at the bungalows. Prof. Buri stated that the first batch of students from the CSIR College of Science and Technology (CCST) graduated this year and SRI contributed the largest number. He added that from January, 2021, the Institute will be hosting soil information for the whole country online and can be assessed globally of which payment will be done to get access.
He charged the staff members to improve their attitude and commitment towards work in order to bring the good results needed. He pointed out that the survival of the Institute depends on proposal writing and therefore urged all scientists to develop proposals for projects to help the Institute.
Prof. Buri also used the occasion to congratulate all the retired members for their sacrifices to the Institute and wished them success wherever they may be. The director appreciated the retired staff and awarded them with household items. He noted that the criteria for determining the value of an item given to retirees was the length of service which was instituted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
On behalf of the retirees, Mr. Samuel Kwasi Yankyerah, a former Senior Assistant Farm Manager, thanked the director of the Institute, the Director-General of CSIR and all staff for the gift given to them. He mentioned that in his 41 years stay at the Institute, there has never been a time that a retiree has been presented with such a gift. He charged members to work hard, show commitment and respect their superiors.
Mr. Yankyerah also commented on the high attrition rate at the Institute and pleaded with the director to employ more workers and also train them to fill the gap.
Goodwill messages were received from the Research Staff Association (RSA), the Senior Staff Association (SSA), the TUC and the ladies club. They commended the retirees and wished them well in their future endeavours.
By: Kwaku Agyeman