The implementers of the Ghana’s Strengthening Accountability Mechanism (GSAM), project have urged citizens to continue showing interest in the infrastructural projects assemblies execute in their communities.
While commending citizens for their interest in the construction of projects in their communities, GSAM implementers believe that asking the duty bearers the necessary questions on how social amenities are provided and the source of funding is a good thing.
The implementing consortium, consisting of CARE, OXFAM, ISODEC and some 25 Civil Society Organizations are spending 9.3 million US dollars in 100 districts in Ghana
The seven years project is aimed at strengthening citizen’s oversight of capital development projects to improve local government transparency, accountability and performance.
GSAMM Chief of Party, Mr. Clement Tandoh disclosed this in Tamale during a cross learning forum which brought together all stakeholders to deliberate how to enhance local governance process.
The forum formed part of USAID joint effort to improve local government transparency, accountability and performance.
Touching on citizen’s knowledge on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), Mr. Tandoh said the outcome of the survey revealed that, 46% of citizens demonstrated knowledge of assemblies capital project planning and execution processes as against 35.9% in 2016.
Forty-one percent (41%) he added, also demonstrated knowledge of capital projects in their communities such as the source of funding, contract sum and name of contractor.
This, according to the implementers led to the assemblies now using quality and required materials for any infrastructural project.
The GSAM chief said there has been some improvement, attitudinal change among staff of the assemblies and the fears of citizens understanding their work, especially on capital projects.
The seven year project ends in 2019 but the GSAM Chief assured stakeholders that the USAID, the solely donor has extended the project to 2020.
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