Members of the citizens platform
Citizens Platform, a forum to promote active citizens participation in local governance, for four zonal communities in the New Juaben South Municipality (NJSM) in the Eastern Region, has been inaugurated.
The platform, made up of traditional authorities, assembly members, persons with disability, opinion leaders, among others, would promote active citizens participation and inclusiveness in the delivery of services in the municipality.
Besides, the platform would also serve as a forum where issues affecting development in the communities and the interest of the people, especially the vulnerable in the society, could be raised for redress.
The platform is 4H Ghana, a non-governmental organisation’s local government project which seeks to ensure the functioning of the zonal councils in the NJSM.
It is being funded by STAR Ghana and its partner organisation.
At the inaugural ceremony, Appiah Kwaku Boateng, Executive Director of 4H Ghana, said the project was aimed at empowering the zonal councils, a sub structure of the local assembly, to make them more active.
Mr Boateng recalled that, the zonal councils though were better placed to collect revenue for development in the assemblies, were not functioning today, thus only existed by name.
He revealed that presently most of the zonal councils had their offices deteriorated, while their staff was not empowered to do their job.
“Over the years, the situation has brought about over concentration on the assemblies that have been overburdened with the work that could have been delivered by the zonal councils,” he said.
According to Mr Boateng, the inauguration of the Citizens Platform would provide an avenue where community members, especially the marginalised would come together and discuss issues affecting their community.
“It will also serve as a voice for the community members and provide a backbone to push the zonal councils and duty bearers to act to address issues affecting the communities.
“When the citizens of a country are able to access the services of the district assemblies at their door steps, they will be motivated to take active participation in the governance process,” he explained.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
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