The Action Voices, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) which seek to bring governance to the door step of citizens has partnered the National Association of Local Authority of Ghana (NALAG) to improve decentralization system in the country.
The Chief Executive Director for Action Voices Mr. Lord Fordjour has stated that his organization has identified gaps between local authorities and citizens which are making governance in various assemblies ineffective.
Mr. Fordjour indicated that there is the need to promote and bridge this gap between citizens and government by introducing a mobile platform to enhance their communication and make information delivery easier and effective.
It is against this background that we are partnering with NALAG since it is the national body in charge of local authorities, we cannot do it alone,” He explained.
He further said, the organization wants to currently scale up the mobile project to a forum or platform where Citizens can communicate and also post news from their assemblies traveling from one place to the other and receive feedback with issues addressed.
“We have a good local governance system but citizen participation is very low and it is not helping develop and improve the local Assemblies and municipalities,” Mr. Fordjour said.
He added that web access also creates platform to for Assembly members to engage with their citizens before they go for their meeting and communicate back to the citizens.
According to Mr. Fordjour with more education and support from NALAG decentralization would improve.
The General Secretary for NALAG, Mr. Kokro Amankwah on his part expressed joy about Action Voices partnership to help improve decentralization and also encourage citizens’ participation in local governance.
Mr. Amanwah stressed that there is a lot to be done in terms of improving decentralization and also women participation in governance, adding that most developmental issues affect women and children more, in terms of water, schools and sanitation.
He added that this platform would help citizens hold duty bearers accountable and also promote transparency as citizens would also participate in decision making.
“Citizens can discuss their needs more than authorities discussing and deciding their needs which they would neglect,” he said and noted that qualities of some assembly members are not attractive at all.
By: Ellen Agbavor