Local communities asked to be interested in project development

Community members have been advised to develop the interest and get actively involved in the planning and execution of capital development projects by the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.

Alhaji Aziz Issifu, the Executive Director of the Social Development and Improvement Agency (SODIA), a non-governmental organisation, said this on Thursday.

He said local communities ought to show keen interest and follow the initiation and contract signing processes as well as total execution of infrastructural development.

Mr Issifu was speaking at a workshop for the formation of the Social Accountability Platform at Abesim, near Sunyani.

The platform focuses on the implementation of capital development projects at the various Municipal and District Assemblies.

Its main purpose is to serve as a rallying point in intensifying political and financial commitment at all levels to address contemporary challenges of development projects.

Members are drawn from 20 Civil Society Organisations in Brong-Ahafo and Ashanti regions.

The platform also provides opportunity at national, regional and district levels to share experiences, knowledge and mutual learning.

Alhaji Issifu said research shows that MMDAs used about 70 percent of their funds for capital development projects in local communities.

He said because communities were not actively involved in all processes, including project funding, they were not able to monitor the execution of those projects.

He said MMDAs ought to take the responsibility and build the capacity of local communities so that they could participate effectively in decision making processes.

Mr Raphael Godlove Ahenu, the Chief Executive Officer of Global Media Foundation, a human rights and media advocacy organisation, expressed the hope that the platform would tackle issues in a more proactive manner to facilitate development.