NCCE urges Kassena-Nankana residents to hold duty bearers accountable for community development
The appeal was made during a civic engagement programme organised by the Commission on Thursday, February 26, held at the Kassena-Nankana Municipal Assembly Conference Hall.
The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has called on residents of the Kassena-Nankana Municipality to actively hold duty bearers accountable and demonstrate greater interest in local governance to drive community development.
The appeal was made during a civic engagement programme organised by the Commission on Thursday, February 26, held at the Kassena-Nankana Municipal Assembly Conference Hall.
Speaking in an interview with Mike FM, the Kasena Nankana Municipal Director of the NCCE, Felicia Ajongbah, said the initiative was aimed at empowering citizens to demand transparency and accountability from public officials, including members of the Municipal Assembly and its staff.
“This engagement is to enlighten our citizens to demand accountability from duty bearers. That includes the local Assembly and its staff. We brought together Assembly Members from various electoral areas and organised groups to create awareness and encourage active participation,” she stated.
Ajongbah stressed that both elected and appointed officials must be held responsible for their stewardship.
“For instance, our Member of Parliament is elected, and the Municipal Chief Executive is appointed. All of them can and should be held accountable by the people they serve,” she noted.
She further urged community members to take ownership of development projects in their localities and support policies that promote sustainable growth.
“Monitor projects that come into your communities and see them as your own. The President will not travel from Accra to use those facilities. If proper monitoring is not done to ensure quality delivery, it is the community that will suffer in the end,” she cautioned.
In a related development, the Kassena-Nankana Municipal Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Issahaku Abdul Gafaru, underscored the importance of social auditing in strengthening accountability.
“One of the tenets of the rule of law is citizen participation. When social auditing is active and citizens ask relevant questions, it keeps duty bearers on their toes. They will realise that the people are alert and engaged,” he said.
Gafaru also encouraged residents who feel disrespected or unfairly treated in public institutions to seek redress from CHRAJ.
“When you go to any institution to access services and you are not treated with dignity, report to CHRAJ. If the issue does not fall directly within our mandate, we are duty-bound to direct you to the appropriate institution,” he assured.
A participant at the event commended the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful.
“This programme has enlightened us to participate actively in community development and to hold our leaders accountable,” the community member said.
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