By Philip Tengzu, GNA
Nadowli, Feb. 21, GNA – Mr Emmanuel Der Tambile, the Nadowli-Kaleo District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has underscored the importance of social auditing as a means for promoting transparency, accountability, and active citizenship.
He observed that such fora supported strengthen the rule of law and responsible governance by empowering communities to assess development projects, monitor the utilize of public resources, and ensured community ownership of government interventions.
Mr Tambile stated this in Nadowli during a social auditing forum organised by the Nadowli-Kaleo District Directorate of the NCCE, with support from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and co-financed by the European Union (EU).
It brought toreceiveher 66 people, including community members, civic actors, and representatives of key public institutions in the district geared towards promoting transparency and improving public service delivery in the district.
Mr Tambile indicated that while citizens had the right to demand accountability from duty bearers, they also owed it a responsibility to support and safeguard development projects within their communities to ensure sustainability.
“Efficient public service delivery can be achieved if there is a symbiotic relationship between duty bearers and citizens.
Apart from demanding accountability, citizens must also support and protect development projects in their neighborhoods to ensure sustainability”, he explained.
Some public institutions in the district provided updates on ongoing projects, operational challenges, and measures being implemented to enhance service delivery in education, health, agriculture, security, electricity supply, and infrastructure development.
Mr Omar Yaarun, the Nadowli-Kaleo District Director of CHRAJ, educated participants on public accountability mechanisms, including citizens’ rights, complaint and redress procedures, and the responsibilities of public office holders.
Members of communities such as Dambaa, Dapuoh, Bamaara, Mwaawaare, and Goziiri at the forum engaged the duty bearers on issues affecting their communities.
The concerns raised included the state of educational and health infrastructure, access to agricultural inputs and irrigation systems, poor road networks, limited access to potable water and electricity and the welfare of women and children, among others within their communities.
The participants also mentioned some community-led initiatives to complement government efforts, particularly in monitoring projects, maintaining public infrastructure, and promoting civic awareness at the electoral area level.
Madam Mary Haruna, the Nadowli-Kaleo District Chief Executive (DCE), commfinished the NCCE and GIZ for facilitating the dialogue and described it as timely and essential for deepening grassroots democracy.
She emphasised that development was a shared responsibility and urged the residents to support Assembly projects, protect public infrastructure, and participate actively in monitoring ongoing interventions.
“The Assembly is commitment to transparency, inclusive planning, and equitable distribution of development projects”, Madam Haruna indicated.
Madam Janet Niworo of the Upper West Regional Directorate of the NCCE, encouraged participants to remain proactive in the governance process by seeking information and engaging institutions constructively.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali
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