Three Krobo MDAs Sign MOU With Traditional Leaders And Vulnerable Groups

A few months after the launch of the Democratic Governance project in the Krobo area, all three Krobo Municipal and District Assemblieshave signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with various associations of persons considered vulnerable, committing themselves to fully integrating the latter into the assemblies' operations and the local governance process in general.

All three assemblies, Lower Manya Krobo, Upper Manya Krobo and Yilo Krobo also signed the MOU withtraditional leaders in the area to ensure a better representation of the traditional authoritiesin the assembly and other such decision making bodies at the local level.

Sponsored by the European Union,DANIDA, UKAID and USAID through STAR-Ghana, the project which is being implemented by Youth and Women Empowerment (YOWE), a local-based NGO is aimedat increasing by twenty percent (20%) the number of representatives of minority groups (such as PWDs) appointed to the Yilo and the Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Assemblies as well as the Upper Manya Krobo District Assembly. It also aims at bridging the gap between the traditional councils and the assemblies and promoting a more effective collaboration between the two bodies.

With the signing of the MOU, the assemblies have committed to fully implementing the suggestions and agreement set in the advocacy plans by the traditional authorities and the other groups such as the Market Women/TradersAssociation and the PWDs.

Among the many action points set by PWD was one for the assemblies to be more transparent in the management of the 2% common fund by giving the PWDs a representation on the fund's management committee.

The assemblies are also to make it mandatory, asdemanded by law, for the construction of walk ways to enable PWDs have access to public facilities. They are also to provide special disability-friendly places of convenience dedicated to the aged and the PWDs.

Additionally, the assemblies would be collaborating with the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) to educate their drivers in the three MDAs on the need to assist PWDs and offer them differentiated treatment in the course of their duties.

The market women on the other hand demanded, among others, that their leadership is consulted during fee fixing and the review of market tolls.

Signing his part, the Chief Executive of the Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Assembly, Hon. Frederick J. K. Acolatse said, “The assembly is responsible for promoting the welfare of all particularly those found vulnerable like the PWDs and that is why we are readily embracing this initive geared towards making life better for the people”. He lauded YOWE and STAR-Ghana for what he described as a “wonderful initiative” and pledge the support of his outfit to implementing the agreements in the MOU.

A REP OF THE MARKET WOMEN SIGNING THEIR PART

A REP OF THE TRADITIONAL LEADERS SIGNING THEIR PART

MCE FOR LOWER MANYA KROBO SIGNING FOR THE ASSEMBLY