SNV lauds implementation of SPEFA project in Berekum Municipality

Berekum, (B/A), Jan. 23, GNA - The Netherland Development Organisation (SNV), the lead organisation of the Social Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (SPEFA) project has lauded the implementation of the Project in the Berekum Municipality.

Mr. Isaac Appiagyei Boachie, an adviser at the SNV, a non-profit international development organisation working in the agriculture, energy, water, sanitation and hygiene sectors, said the three-year project had empowered and increased citizens' participation in local governance in the Municipality.

He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sideline of a SPEFA forum at Berekum in the Brong-Ahafo Region, that the project implementers were working out modalities with the Berekum Municipal Assembly to ensure the sustainability of the project, which was expected to end by November this year.

It was attended by hairdressers, dressmakers, artisanal workers, commercial drivers, representatives of transport unions, women groups, tailors, market women and representatives of the Ghana Federation of People with Disabilities.

MIHOSO International, an NGO, is implementing a three-year SPEFA project in the Sunyani and Berekum Municipalities, which is aimed at improving citizens' perception about financial management, namely how the municipal and district assemblies manage and report on their resources.

The project emanated from the Local Government Capacity Support Project, which was initiated by the Government and the World Bank.

Mr Boachie indicated that reports gathered showed that the Project implementation which started in 2014 had enlightened and empowered local people to contribute significantly to decision-making process.

It has also helped the Berekum Municipal Assembly to easily identify and address the immediate needs of the people.

He said because of the Project the local people had benefited from the provision of basic infrastructure like market, lorry stations, street lights and other social amenities.

Mr Boachie commended the Municipal Assembly and MIHOSO for their commitment to the execution of the Project and expressed optimism that the relationship established between the Assembly and the people would be deepened for mutual benefit.

Mr Barnabas Geaten Gbong, the Project Officer of MIHOSO, educated the participants about the duties of the Members of Parliament (MPs), Municipal/District Chief Executives and Assembly Members.

He advised the participants not to elect MPs based on partisan political interest because the legislature was an organ of government representing the general interest of the entire citizenry, hence the need for the electorate to elect competent people to represent them.

Mr. Gbong said it was the duty of the MP to organise and explain to his or her constituents the laws passed by Parliament as well as policies and programmes being implemented by the government.

He said as a non-voting ex-officio member of the Assembly, the MP was required to monitor programmes and projects that the Assembly initiated in the constituency.

Mr Gbong said a good relationship between MPs and their constituents would not only deepen the understanding of the local people about the work of the legislature, but also guide them to make informed decision during parliamentary elections.

He emphasised that the basic function of the MPs were the passage of laws, saying, if the people understood that it would help to bring under control the unnecessary pressures their constituents mounted on them for assistance.

GNA

By Dennis Peprah, GNA