Catholic Church launches local governance project

The National Catholic Secretariat (NCS) has launched a programme at Wa in the Upper West Region to promote the participation of citizens in the local governance process.

The move is aimed at educating the people to initiate and own projects meant to develop their areas and to erase their apathy towards efforts by the government to develop their areas.

The launch, funded by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, was on the theme “Community Participation in Local Governance for Rapid and Sustainable Development”.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Bishop of the Wa Catholic Diocese,  Most Rev. Richard Kuuia Baawobr, noted that the initiative was based on Pope Francis’ request to empower the human race to come out of poverty.

“Pope Francis has established a Dicastery for the promotion of integral human development which has a wide range of responsibilities to take care of, including education, health, charity, livelihood and food security, justice, peace and good governance, all in the quest for empowerment and raising the dignity of every human being”, he said.

Good governance

Good governance, he stated, cut across all spheres of life, knowing no partisan or religious barriers, adding that  It was for that reason that the Roman Catholic Church launched the project to renew the dichotomy between the church and the secular world.

Going forward, the Bishop said the church was going to use the pulpit to rally the people to realise their responsibilities and rights.

He said the project would involve the active participation of the traditional authorities, Municipal/District Assemblies, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), citizens and the government and it will go a long way towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“He hoped that the project will benefit the people spiritually and materially, especially the nine Parishes in the Diocese, including the Saint Andrew’s Cathedral, St Cecilia, Immaculate, St Theresa’s Minor Basilica, St Peter’s, St Joseph, St Mary Magdalene and Holy Family” he said.

Referendum

The Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, commended the Catholic Church for initiating the project and praised the church for its distinguished effort in collaborating with the government in the provision of social amenities to enhance the welfare of the people.

The minister said the decision to launch the project was part of the collaboration and called for the active participation of all citizens.

Dr Bin Salih took the opportunity to announce the forthcoming referendum to amend the 1992 Constitution to make way for the election of the Metropolitan/Municipal/District Chief Executives in December, this year.

Strategies

Speaking on the topic, the Director of Governance, Justice and Peace Directorate of the church, Reverend Father Clement Adjei, noted that the project would map out strategies for active development.
 
He called for the active collaboration of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, NCCE, the traditional authorities and the people.