By Yussif Ibrahim
Drobonso (Ash), Sept. 29, GNA – The Vision for Action Foundation (VAF), in collaboration with the Planning Unit of the Sekyere Afram Plains District Assembly, has engaged stakeholders on the District’s Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP).
The goal was to promote citizens’ participation in local development and strengthen accountability.
The engagement formed part of the ‘I Am Aware Project,’ being implemented by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) with funding support from the Hewlett Foundation.
The I Am Aware Project seeks to promote an informed and active citizenry by improving citizens’ access to credible information on government policies, public services and development commitments, while empowering them to use such information to engage duty-bearers and demand accountability.
The stakeholder forum, which formed part of VAF’s third-quarter activities, brought together members of the District Planning Coordinating Unit (DPCU), organised groups, the District Coordinating Director, market queens, trader representatives, Assembly members and other stakeholders.
It was aimed at disseminating the approved MTDP, obtaining feedback from communities, documenting and consolidating development gains under the Plan, and preparing stakeholders for the mid-year review.
Mr Douglas Osei Yeboah, the District Coordinating Director (DCD), who chaired the meeting, outlined its purpose and objectives and underscored the importance of engaging communities in the development planning process.
He said continuous engagement with citizens would enable the Assembly to better understand community needs and priorities, while fostering collaboration in the implementation of development programmes.
Mr Justice Owuraku Boafo, the Project Coordinating Director of VAF, explained that the initiative was intended to enable communities to track development interventions identified through the needs assessment undertaken during the preparation of the MTDP.
He said making the approved Plan known to community members would enable them to understand the projects earmarked for their respective areas and follow their implementation over the four-year period.
Mr Boafo said the engagement would also help manage community expectations by making citizens aware that the implementation of development projects depended largely on the availability of funds.
He said that understanding would help reduce anxiety among community members and promote a more realistic appreciation of the Assembly’s development commitments.
The forum also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to give feedback on the MTDP and discuss ways of strengthening community participation in monitoring development projects.
Participants were encouraged to take an active interest in development activities within their communities and work with the Assembly and relevant civil society organisations to track projects and promote accountability.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/ Christabel Addo
Reporter: Yussif Ibrahim