By Solomon Gumah, GNA
Savelugu, July 06, GNA – The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) in collaboration with the Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA-Ghana) has engaged communities in the Savelugu Municipality to create awareness on transparency, accountability and good governance.
The awareness campaign was part of strategies to respond to corruption and its related issues.
The engagement formed part of a one-day refresher training workshop under the Strengthening Accountability, Rule of Law, and Institutional Responsiveness in Ghana (SARIS) project, which was organised by GACC in partnership with SWIDA-Ghana with funding support from the European Union.
The workshop brought together 40 participants comprising representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), women-based associations, youth groups and Local Accountability Networks (LANETs) in the Savelugu Municipality.
As part of efforts to broaden public sensitisation and awareness beyond the workshop, the GACC and SWIDA-Ghana also organised a radio discussion programme, where resource persons educated members of the public on the effects of corruption, the importance of accountability and transparency, and the critical role citizens played in promoting good governance and reporting corrupt practices.
The workshop also formed part of follow-up activities to strengthen participants’ understanding of Public Financial Management in Ghana, the country’s audit processes and the role of citizens in promoting accountability and fighting corruption.
Speaking at the event, Hajia Alima Sagito-Saeed, the Executive Director of SWIDA-Ghana, said the organisation remained committed to empowering citizens to actively participate in governance by demanding accountability from public office holders.
She said enhancing citizens’ knowledge of public financial management systems and audit processes
Speaking at the event, Hajia Alima Sagito-Saeed, Executive Director of SWIDA-Ghana, said the organisation remained committed to empowering citizens to actively participate in governance by demanding accountability from public office holders. 
She said enhancing citizens’ knowledge of public financial management systems and audit processes would strengthen public oversight, improve transparency and contribute to better service delivery at the local level. 
She encouraged participants to replicate the knowledge gained during the training within their respective communities to deepen citizens’ participation in governance and accountability processes. 
Mrs Beauty Emefa Narteh, Executive Secretary, GACC, said the fight against corruption required the collective efforts of government institutions, CSOs and citizens. 
She said corruption continued to undermine national development and urged community members to remain vigilant, report corrupt practices through the appropriate channels and support initiatives that promoted transparency, accountability and the prudent management of public resources. 
Mr Mohammed Musah, Deputy Director, Savelugu Municipal Assembly commended GACC and SWIDA-Ghana for sustaining efforts to educate communities on the effects of corruption on development. 
Mr Musah urged the participants to put the knowledge acquired into practice by serving as ambassadors for accountability, transparency and good governance in their communities. 
He said stronger collaboration among citizens, CSOs and state institutions remained critical to building transparent, responsive and accountable governance systems. 
GNA 
Edited by Eric K Amoh/Benjamin Mensah  
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