GDCA hails decentralisation policy

Executive Director of Ghana Development Communities Associations (GDCA), Alhaji Osman, Abdel-Rahman, has hailed the decentralisation programme in the country asserting, “it enhances an all-inclusive government thereby curtailing misplaced priorities.”

“Ghana’s local government and decentralisation system is key in bringing governance to the door steps of the citizens and thus enhancing participation in the governance system,” he added.

According to him, GDCA would undertake some social interventions to help people at the grassroots to engage in the administration of governance in the country.

These interventions, Alhaji Osman disclosed, would include capacity building of Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and facilitating of the establishment of community groupings to form Area/Town Unions and districts in the Northern region.

He made these remarks at the launch of a research report on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) model standing orders in Tamale.

Alhaji Osman was optimistic that the initiative on district development partner’s platform by GDCA to foster coordination among various stakeholders in the district would be adopted by more than half of the MMDAs.

He revealed that strengthening accountability, transparency and participation in local governance through the conduct of the general assembly meetings at the local level were regulated by the model standing orders.

He went on to explain that decentralisation provides relevant platforms for individuals and groups to raise their concerns and also make their voices heard.

For his part, the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mohammad-Muniru Limuna, divulged that the district assembly participation in local governance through general assembly meetings could help provide a framework for monitoring the procedures of the MMDAs.

Alhaji Muniru, however, suggested that the general assembly meetings should be evenly represented by identifiable groups and communities as defined in the local Government Act.

He further commended GDCA and others involved in taking the initiative to promote grassroots participation in governance.