CDD-Ghana launches Promoting Social Accountability in Local Governance project

The Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has  launched Promoting Social Accountability through Citizens’ Participation in Local Governance Project in Tamale.

 

The Project is aimed at increasing citizens’ participation in the planning and budgeting processes of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

     

Mr Paul Osei-Kuffour, Programs Manager of CDD who launched the project, said the three-year initiative project supported by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) was to bridge the gap between citizens and district assemblies with regards to citizens’ engagement, access to information and participation in the planning and budgeting processes and activities of MMDAs.

       

He said the project, which commenced in 2015 was being implemented in 20 districts across the country and would end in December 2018.

     

He stated that government policies, budgets and plans sometimes failed to reflect societal priorities and local context, and tend to overlook the needs of various societal groups, especially traditionally marginalized groups such as women, youth and Persons with Disabilities.

     

According to Mr Osei-kuffour, some budget documents were not produced while those that were published contained inadequate information, which was a challenge for the citizenry to hold government accountable.

       

He noted that the project would expand the democratic space, voice and feedback among state and non-sate actors to improve the delivery of public goods and services at the local level.

 

Source: GNA