Gwollu: Mr. Mustapha Iddrisu, the Sissala West District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has emphasized the importance of holding public officials accountable for the judicious use of public resources as a crucial factor in accelerating development and combating corrupt practices.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Iddrisu highlighted that public accountability empowers citizens to monitor the use of public resources and engage with duty-bearers in informed and constructive dialogue. This engagement is vital for ensuring transparency and accountability in local governance. In an interview conducted at Gwollu after a workshop on social auditing and civic engagement, he stressed the importance of citizens' responsibilities in holding duty-bearers accountable.
Mr. Iddrisu urged citizens to take ownership of their communities by demanding transparency and accountability from public officers, which he noted would significantly enhance development in their areas. He also advocated for the government to introduce a comprehensive and institutionalized approach to dealing with corruption, emphasizing that aggressive efforts to reduce corruption in public service could prevent substantial revenue loss at all levels of government.
He further explained that citizen participation in local governance promotes good governance and enhances development at the local level by providing opportunities to identify gaps and adopt new measures to combat corruption. Mr. Iddrisu encouraged individuals to report any acts of corruption to the appropriate bodies for immediate action, emphasizing the critical role citizens play in fighting corruption and its related practices.
The director advised citizens to demand accountability for projects funded by Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to reduce corruption. He called on citizens to engage actively in the planning and implementation of policies and projects to ensure value for money and accelerate development.
Mr. Iddrisu underscored the necessity for citizens to hold public officials accountable during and after their terms in office, aiming to reduce the loopholes that contribute to corrupt practices. He concluded by advising citizens to exercise their powers with discretion, demonstrating a full commitment to the principles of accountability and transparency.