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Accountability mechanism introduced into district assemblies

By GNA
Politics Accountability mechanism introduced into district assemblies
SEP 1, 2015 LISTEN

Bolgatanga, Sept. 01, GNA - The Upper East Deputy Regional Minister, Mr Daniel Syme, said the implementation of Ghana's Strengthening Accountability Mechanisms Project (GSAM) would lead to the efficient management of public funds.

Speaking at the launch of the project in Bolgatanga, the Minister said it would also build the capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and citizens to demand accountability and transparency from the district assemblies and local contractors to ensure quality service delivery.

The programme, which attracted district chief executives, district coordinating directors, planners and CSOs among others had the theme: 'Empowering CSOs and Citizens to Monitor Capital Development Projects for Improved Service Delivery'.

Mr Syme, who commended the USAID for funding the five year project in 100 districts across the 10 regions, told the stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the project.

Mr Emmanuel Abeliwine, the Programme Director of IBIS-Ghana, said the implementation of the project would also lead to ensuring equitable distribution of financial resources particularly in deprived communities.

Giving an overview of the project, Mr Adu Sarkodie Gyekye, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist of the GSAM, explained that among the project goals are to strengthen citizens' oversight of capital development projects to improve local government transparency and ensure accountability and performance.

It is also to increase the availability of accessible information on MMDAs capital development project performance in 100 districts as well as strengthen CSOs and citizens' capacity to monitor MMDAs development projects in the districts.

He said the project aims at building the capacity of CSOs and community members and support them to monitor district assembly capital development projects with the aid of digital cameras, mobile phones and scorecards to evaluate the performance of the assemblies.

Mr Gyekye said it would also promote the use of radio, town hall meetings, focus group discussions, project performance bulletins, and E-Platform among others things to empower citizens about the performance of the assemblies with respect to selected capital projects.

'This will enable the citizens to demand accountability and improve performance of the district assemblies as well as from other government agencies, contractors and service providers.

"Again the citizens, through the project, will be better informed about the resources available to the assemblies and will not make unnecessary demands.'

Whilst IBIS Ghana is implementing the project in selected districts in the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, and Volta regions, the Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) is implementing it in the Central, Greater Accra, Western and Eastern regions while CARE Ghana is implementing it in the Brong Ahafo and Ashanti regions.

The launch was used to commence the capacity building of selected CSOs in the region to help in the implementation of the project.

The beneficiary districts in the Upper East Region include Kassena-Nankana West, Builsa North and Builsa South, Pusiga, Garu-Tempane and Bawku West districts.

GNA

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