North east gonja: The North East Gonja District Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has conducted a social audit engagement focused on the Rule of Law and the fight against corruption, with the aim of enabling citizens to demand accountability from local authorities.
According to Ghana News Agency, the forum emphasized empowering citizens to lawfully access and monitor the performance of duty-bearers and policies. It aimed to enhance citizens' understanding of local government and the rule of law, thereby empowering communities to lawfully demand accountability. Held in Bunjai, the event gathered 65 participants including traditional authorities, assembly members, representatives from the health and education sectors, the clergy, people with disabilities, students, and members of tailors and hairdressers associations.
Participants voiced concerns over various issues, such as the inadequacy of teachers and educational materials, lack of accommodation for educators and healthcare workers, absence of a hospital, insufficient ICT centers for students, and limited access to potable water. Despite these concerns, establishing a hospital was regarded as the community's highest priority.
Mr. Ewuntoma Abdul Mumin, the North East Gonja District Chief Executive, addressed the gathering, affirming the Assembly's dedication to transparency and accountability. He assured participants that he and other local officials would remain open to public scrutiny and reiterated his commitment to community development, particularly the construction of a hospital.
Miss Martha Bagbin, the North East Gonja District Director of the NCCE, highlighted the importance of social auditing in empowering citizens to legally access information, monitor policies and performances, and demand accountability from public officials. She acknowledged the support of the European Union and Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in sponsoring the event and stressed the NCCE's role in fostering civic responsibility.
Mr. Inusah Iddirisu, Public Education Officer and Investigator at the Northern Regional office of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, delivered a presentation on public accountability mechanisms, focusing on citizens' rights, complaint and redress procedures, and the responsibilities of public office holders.
Discussions at the forum centered on issues impacting citizens' daily lives and ways in which communities could lawfully engage duty-bearers to ensure adherence to the rule of law. A five-member social auditing committee was established, comprising representatives from the NCCE, the Assembly Member, District Planning Officer, and two community members, to follow up on issues raised and promote sustained accountability.