CENSODEV Director calls for regular town hall meetings to boost citizen participation in local governance
Braimah Sanjage urges assemblies to engage citizens consistently through inclusive town hall meetings to promote transparency, accountability, and community-driven development.
The Executive Director for the Centre for Social Mobilization and Sustainable Development (CENSODEV), Braimah Sanjage has called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) across the country to organise town hall meetings regularly to strengthen citizen participation in local governance.
According to him, regular engagements between assemblies and residents would help bridge the communication gap between local authorities and the people they serve, while keeping citizens informed about decisions, policies and development projects within their communities.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Tuesday, May 19, Sanjage said the meetings should serve as platforms for assemblies to engage residents on key developmental issues and provide updates on programmes and interventions being implemented in their districts.
He stressed that all relevant stakeholders must be involved in the meetings, including traditional authorities, opinion leaders, assembly members, youth groups, women groups, traders, farmers, teachers and civil society organisations.
“It is mandatory that every assembly should conduct two town hall meetings in a year. During these meetings, assemblies are expected to bring together citizens and stakeholders to brief them on ongoing activities and developments at the local level” he said.
Sanjage further noted that regular town hall meetings would promote transparency, accountability and stronger relationships between assemblies and community members, ultimately improving local governance and development outcomes.
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