By Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu, GNA
Zebilla (U/E), Oct. 20, GNA – Mr Charles Akurugu, Bawku West District Coordinating Director, has called for greater transparency, accountability and citizen participation in the management of public resources to promote inclusive development in the district.
He made the call at a public accountability forum organised to provide residents with the opportunity to assess the performance of the District Assembly, discuss development challenges and contribute to finding practical solutions to the needs of their communities.
Mr Akurugu said the forum served as an important platform for the Assembly to account for its stewardship and share information on its activities, achievements and challenges.
“This gathering provides us with an opportunity to account for our stewardship, share information on the activities and achievements of the Assembly, discuss the challenges confronting us, and collectively identify practical solutions to the development needs of our communities,” he said.
The Coordinating Director noted that residents, as the ultimate beneficiaries of development initiatives, had the right to know how public resources were mobilised, allocated and utilised.
He said feedback from residents would help the Assembly improve its planning, budgeting, project implementation and service delivery.
Mr Akurugu emphasised that accountability went beyond presenting reports and highlighting achievements, stressing the need for leaders to accept responsibility, acknowledge shortcomings and demonstrate a commitment to improvement.
“Accountability is not merely about presenting reports or outlining achievements. It is also about accepting responsibility, acknowledging shortcomings, and demonstrating a willingness to improve,” Mr Akurugu stated.
He reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to working closely with traditional authorities, assembly members, development partners, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to ensure that development interventions reflected the actual needs of residents.
Mr Akurugu urged participants to actively engage in deliberations, ask relevant questions, express their views respectfully and offer constructive suggestions to advance development in the district.
He said effective collaboration between the Assembly and residents would strengthen public trust, promote responsible leadership and ensure that development resources delivered meaningful benefits to communities.
The Coordinating Director expressed appreciation to participants for attending the forum and expressed optimism that the deliberations would produce practical recommendations to guide the Assembly towards more transparent, accountable and inclusive governance.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu
Email: [email protected]