Accra, Sept.11, GNA - The first Town Hall Meeting would be held on Wednesday, September 16 at the Teachers' Hall in Tamale in the Northern Region.

An official statement signed in Accra on Friday by Mr Mahama Ayariga, Presidential Spokesperson, said the initiation of the practice of town hall meetings is pursuant to President John Evans Atta Mills' vision to deepen local democracy.

"This will promote closer partnership between the local citizens and their local government authorities in setting the development agenda at the local level," it said.

"Citizens' voices are critical to understanding the nature and context of our development challenges. It is only a combined effort of people working with their local authorities that can surmount the enormous development challenges confronting our nation," the statement added.

It said the Northern Regional Coordinators of the Town Hall meetings include Mohammed Al-Hassan Adam, Alhaji Abdul-Razak Saani, Alhaji (Dr) Hussein Zakaria and Alhaji Imoro Issifu Alhassan. The statement urged all citizen groups of all persuasions to avail themselves of this opportunity to help set the development agendas of their towns.

PRESS RELEASE

TOWN HALL MEETING

The first Town Hall Meeting shall be held on Wednesday, 16th September 2009 at the Teachers Hall in Tamale in the Northern Region.

The Northern Regional Coordinators of the Town Hall Meetings include:

1. MOHAMMED AL-HASSAN ADAM - 0243 – 389 780

2. ALHAJI ABDUL – RAZAK SAANI - 020 – 850 5076

3. ALHAJI DR. HUSSEIN ZAKARIA - 0244 – 597 805

4. ALHAJI IMORO ISSIFU ALHASSAN

The initiation of the practice of town hall meetings is pursuant to President John Evans Atta Mills’ vision to deepen local democracy. This will promote closer partnership between the local citizens and their local government authorities in setting the development agenda at the local level.

Citizen voices are critical to understanding the nature and context of our development challenges. It is only a combined effort of people working with their local authorities that can surmount the enormous development challenges confronting our nation.

Citizen groups of all persuasions are entreated to avail themselves of this opportunity to help set the development agendas of their towns.

MAHAMA AYARIGA (PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON)