By Albert Futukpor, GNA
Bunjai (S/R), Feb 16, GNA – The North East Gonja District Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has held a social audit engagement on the Rule of Law and the fight against corruption to empower citizens to demand accountability from duty-bearers.
It also sought to empower citizens to lawfully access and monitor the performance of duty-bearers and policies, enhance citizens understanding of local government and the rule of law and empower communities to lawfully demand accountability from duty-bearers.
The event, held at Bunjai, brought together 65 participants comprising traditional authorities, assembly members, representatives of the health and education service, the clergy, persons with disabilities, students, and members of tailors and hairdressers associations.
Participants raised concerns about inadequate teachers and educational materials, lack of accommodation for teachers and nurses, absence of a hospital, insufficient ICT centres for students, and limited access to potable drinking water.
However, they ranked the establishment of a hospital as their topmost priority.
Mr Ewuntoma Abdul Mumin, North East Gonja District Chief Executive, speaking during the event, pledged the Assembly’s commitment to transparency and accountability assuring participants that he and other duty-bearers in the area would make themselves available for public scrutiny.
He reiterated his commitment to community development and promised to work towards addressing the community’s key priorities especially the construction of a hospital.
Miss Martha Bagbin, North East Gonja District Director of the NCCE underscored the importance of social auditing in empowering citizens to lawfully access information, monitor policies and performance and demand accountability from public officials.
She acknowledged the support of the European Union and Deutsche Gesellschaft fĂĽr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in sponsoring the event and highlighted the role of the NCCE in promoting civic responsibility.
Mr Inusah Iddirisu, Public Education Officer and Investigator at the Northern Regional office of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, made a presentation on public accountability mechanisms focusing on citizens’ rights, complaint and redress procedures and the responsibilities of public office holders.
Discussions centred on issues affecting citizens’ daily lives and ways communities could lawfully engage duty-bearers to ensure adherence to the rule of law.
A five-member social auditing committee was formed during the event comprising representatives from the NCCE, the Assembly Member, District Planning Officer and two community members to follow up on issues raised and promote sustained accountability.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh /Audrey Dekalu