Kassena-Nankana West DCE urges active citizen participation in local governance
The DCE called on residents to demand accountability and engage in local decision-making as the Assembly outlined development achievements, ongoing projects and government commitments at an accountability forum.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the Kassena-Nankana West District, Stephen Aeke Akurugo has urged residents to take an active interest in local governance to promote accountability and ensure that public officials deliver on their responsibilities.
He said active citizen participation was essential to building an inclusive local government system that places the needs and concerns of residents at the centre of its development agenda.
Akurugo made the call at an Accountability to the People Forum held on Friday October 9, at the District Assembly’s conference hall.
Addressing participants, the DCE said accountability provided an opportunity for citizens and public officials to collectively identify development challenges, assess progress and work towards practical solutions.
“Accountability is not only about explaining what has been achieved but also about acknowledging our challenges, identifying gaps and being candid about where expectations have not been met,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to collaborating with relevant institutions and stakeholders to advance development in the district.
“We are committed to working with the Regional Coordinating Council, central government, the MP’s office, traditional authorities, development partners and stakeholders to ensure that the aspirations of our people are progressively addressed,” Akurugo stated.
The DCE subsequently presented an account of the Assembly’s development achievements, ongoing projects and outstanding commitments across key sectors, including education, health and agriculture.
The presentation was intended to update residents on the Assembly’s performance and provide an opportunity for them to assess progress on development initiatives in the district.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, who graced the forum described the engagement as an important principle of democratic governance, stressing that public officials had a responsibility to account to the people on whose mandate they exercised authority.
“Public office is a trust. We must account for our stewardship, explain how public resources are used, listen to our people and respond to their concerns,” he said.
Atanga said the initiative aligned with President John Dramani Mahama’s resetting agenda, which according to him, emphasised value for money in projects undertaken by local assemblies.
He also highlighted some of the NDC government’s development commitments to the Upper East Region, including plans to redevelop the regional sports stadium, construct a regional airport and the establishment a passport office.
Ahead of the forum, the Regional Minister and the DCE and a team of officials inspected and commissioned selected development projects in the district.
The engagement also provided residents with the opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns and interact directly with the District Assembly and the Regional Minister on issues affecting development in their communities.
The forum forms part of efforts to strengthen citizen participation in local governance and promote transparency in the management of public resources.
Mike 105.3FM | Navrongo | David Adapuna
