By Kingsley Mamore
Dambai (O/R), Feb 19, GNA- The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has sensitised different groups in Krachi East municipality of the Oti Region on the importance of upholding the rule of law and fighting corruption.
The one- day training workshop was aimed to empower citizens to lawfully access and monitor the performance of local government and public institutions, ensuring transparency and accountability.
The workshop was organized by NCCE with support from Deutsche Gesellschaft fui` International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and co-funded by the European union (EU) under the participation, Accountability and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) Programme.
A total over 50 participants attended the programme, bringing together duty-bearers, community leaders, representative of women and youth groups, civil society organizations and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The programme aimed to create platforms between duty-bearers and communities to foster civic responsibility and participatory governance.
Mr Clement Kwesi Mamadu, Krachi East Municipal Director of NCCE, said the engagement sought to empower participants to actively engage in local governance processes and lawfully demand accountability from duty-bearers without fear or intimidation.
Addressing the participants, he explained that social auditing promoted dialogue between citizens and office holders on the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development Projects, while encouraging community interest in such initiatives.
He advised residents to hold public officers accountable to ensure the judicious use of public resources and stressed the need for active participation in governance to promote transparency and accountability.
Mr Robert Kwesi Boame, Oti Regional Director also added that the exercise was to deepen citizens understanding of corruption and inspire collective responsibility in confronting it.
He noted that corruption was a national concern that demanded the involvement of all, not just a few individuals or institutions.
He explained that the initiative formed part of the commission’s ongoing outreach to various community groups to promote civic consciousness and accountability.
Mr Joshua Borah, Oti Regional Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), educated participants on their right to information and lawful means of demanding transparency in the use of public resources.
“It is the right of residents to hold public officers accountable by ensuring that resources meant for development are judiciously utilized,” Mr Borah added.
He urged participants to use court, CHRAJ and other state institutions to seek redress against corruption practices.
Mr Yaw Kanjo, Deputy District Director of Krachi East has urged citizens to utilize the Public Relations Committee Complain (PRCC) to seek clarity on governance issues.
Speaking at the forum as Chairman for the occasion, he encouraged community members to contact PRCC at the Municipal Assembly for confirmation and guidance on matters related to local governance and public services.
Following the workshop, a forum was opened for participants to ask questions and engage with officials on governance and anti- corruption.
The session saw active participation from community members, who sought clarity on issues such as access to public information, accountability in local governance and reporting corruption cases.
Officials from the NCCE, CHRAJ and other local government responded to questions, provided guidance on citizen’s rights and responsibilities.
The interactive session helped to address concerns and strengthen the community’s understanding of governance and anti- corruption measures.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/George-Ramsey Benamba