Workshop
Details
Civil Society groups in Tain and Wenchi engage with District Assembly Staff on social accountability
The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) Brong-Ahafo branch continues to establish the rare platform for the civil society groups in Wenchi and Tain to meet with the staff and workers of Wenchi and Tain District Assemblies to interact and share ideals on how to develop their districts through the implementation of principles of accountability and transparency in the management of public business.
The question of transparency and accountability is a huge challenge to the public administration in Ghana. Several legislative and procedural arrangements have been put in place but either the public officials are able to circumvent the process or the public is not convinced that it is possible to be a public officer and transparent at the same time.
The issue of transparency and accountability is beyond the question of financial transparency and accountability because some of members of the public argue that, they may not have the requisite skills to audit and assess the appropriate use of public finances. However, the public is capable of assessing and evaluating the contributions of political and administrative leadership on the appropriateness in the delivery of social services to them such as the quality of services as well as the appropriateness of time of delivery of such service.
Normally there is a gap between the Assemble and the people any time questions of accountability and transparency are raise. The Assembly usually brand inquisitive citizens as opposition elements who seek to distract the progress of the Assembly whiles the citizens consider the Assembly staff as bunch of corrupt elements that diverts public resources for private interest.
It is based on this mistrust that, GUTA continue to create a platform for the Assembly staff and civic groups to meet and share knowledge at a point where each of the two could complement the developmental efforts in the district.
This is the first in the series of social accountability programme for the two districts but the fourth in the Brong Ahafo Region. At the end of the workshop, it is expected that committees will be formed to monitor the progress of social accountability at their respective electoral areas.
Date: 30th March to 1st April 2009
Venue: Viglosam Hotel, Wenchi
Time: 9: 00 am
Contacts:
GUTA
Mr. Yeboah Assiamah
Zonal President of GUTA
0244433069
KAS
Isaac Owusu-Mensah
Snr. Programme Officer
0244329047