Media Foundation launches project on accountable local governance
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) on Monday launched a project dubbed: “Using Radio to Promote Effective, Participatory and Accountable Local Governance in northern Ghana”.
The project is aimed at creating a synergy between the district assemblies, the media and the people for effective local governance.
The project is the third in the series organized by the MFWA and would engage eight radio stations, 16 journalists and the district assemblies in the Upper West, Upper East and Northern regions, to ensure that the people at the grassroots were well informed about their development needs.
It is being implemented with financial support from IBIS-Ghana, a non-governmental organization, operating in Ghana.
Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba, Northern Regional Minister, who launched the project, appealed to journalists to be neutral, non-partisan and professional in their work.
He said journalism was a noble profession and that those who chose it must not use the profession to play politics.
Mr Mabengba said participatory governance at the local level was a key element for the attainment of sustainable development and the promotion of democracy.
He said that development would be enhanced when avenues were created to ensure that all citizens participated in the decision-making process.
Mr Mabengba said such avenues could give the citizens an opportunity to seek answers to issues on the application of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund, planning and budgetary processes, quality basic education, health, sanitation and any other benefits that would enhance development.
“An informed citizenry is crucial for a representative democracy to be responsive to the needs and wishes of the people and support greater public accountability…..an informed citizenry is an empowered citizenry”, he said.
Mr Mabengba, however, cautioned the media institutions participating in the project to avoid prejudiced reporting and make conscious effort to desist from witch-hunting.
Mr. Sulemana Braimah, Deputy Executive Director of MFWA, said the project had an eight-week lifespan and sensitive development issues particularly in the areas of good governance and accountability would be aired for 30 minutes on the selected radio stations.
He said it would not only ensure that the ordinary people were well-informed but would also promote effective collaboration between the media and the Assemblies while feedback from the people through the media would be considered.
Mr. Samuel Adjarquah, Deputy Director of Institute of Local Government Studies in Tamale, called on the media and the District Assemblies to be more responsible to the people, to ensure that the ideals of the local government system were achieved.
Source: GNA