Town Hall meetings key to deepening decentralisation – Ato Forson
Mr Ato Forson, Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ajumako- Enyan- Essiam Constituency has applauded Government’s commitment to deepen the decentralization process by bringing local governance closer to the people to empower local communities.
The MP who was speaking at a Town Hall Meeting held at Ajumak-Besease on Tuesday said the move will significantly promote greater transparency, accountability and understanding of the citizenry on governance policies and programmes to accelerate equitable distribution of national resources.
It will ensure active participation in the prioritization, implementation and monitoring of government developmental programmes and strengthen the capacity of the citizenry to demand accountability and transparency for improved service delivery.
The engagement was organised by the Ministry of Information and the Information Services Department in collaborate with the District Assembly.
The meetings are decentralised means of giving the members and leaders of the various communities nationwide, the opportunity to get together to discuss the progress and emerging issues of both the central and local government.
It is also to set the records straight on government policies and programmes, address concerns and clear any ambiguity on the minds of the people.
Chiefs, opinion leaders, assembly members, youth groups, Non-governmental organisations, traders, persons with disability and heads of departments discussed government policies, projects and programmes.
Various institutional heads took turns to address the people on government programmes such as the planting for food and jobs, one district one factory, free SHS, transportation and infrastructure for poverty eradication programme(IPEP)among other.
Mr Forson praised the organizers of the programme and people for strengthening local governance and service delivery, which was critical in ensuring the overall sustainability of decentralization in Ghana.
It was the responsibility of governments to protect the national interest and that the conduct of all stakeholders must reflect in the development of their respective areas to transform lives.
Mr Kofi Dei, the Central Regional Director of Information Services Department (ISD), reiterated the Department’s determination to work with all stakeholders to enhance citizen’s understanding of government issues.
He called on the citizens to take full advantage of all government innovative policies while offering their unalloyed support to ameliorate their living conditions.
Source: GNA