Citizens sensitised to local governance system in Tamale
A sensitisation programme has been organised in Tamale, the Northern regional capital, to deepen understanding of the country’s local governance system.
In attendance were schoolchildren and teachers, local governance experts, representatives from CSOs, assembly members and the general public.
The participating children demonstrated their grasp of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) during a mock Assembly session.
They also displayed their knowledge of the democratic system in the country.
The participants called for the replication of the initiative nationwide to enhance understanding of local governance.
The programme was under the auspices of a project - Social Inclusion and Accountability, being implemented by Savings and Development Dialogue (SDD Ghana), an NGO, dedicated to empowering young people and those facing barriers in civic and economic spaces, with funding by STAR Ghana Foundation, a CSO.
Giving a background to the initiative, the Executive Director of SDD Ghana, Dr Ibrahim Yakubu Nandom, said it involved working with a network of volunteers and 47 children in Children's Assemblies in the beneficiary district, Tolon.
He said the children were coached by volunteers, known as governance coaches.
Impact
The District Chief Executive of Tolon, Braimah Seidu, said the programme has had an impact on children’s confidence, which he said would push them up the educational ladder.
He commended SDD Ghana for the initiative and urged it to collaborate with other agencies to expand the work to more districts.
Scaling up
The Board Chairman of SDD Ghana, Dr Sadat Salifu, described the project as a valuable experiment that requires scaling up to reach more children.
“Our position is informed by the experiences of citizens in local governance dating back to 1988.
“It is concerning, for instance, that many citizens still blur the lines between the roles of district assemblies and Parliament.
“The more visible parliamentary system often overshadows the critical work of district assemblies, which have a broader reach and the mandate to drive local development,” she said.
Dr Salifu added that working with children to deepen knowledge about local governance was a sustainable approach to fostering a citizenry that is informed and engaged in local development.
She entreated the government and other stakeholders to join forces and amplify the call to revitalise local governance in the country.
“I also call on all to embrace the power of active citizenship by volunteering their time, skills and expertise to make a tangible difference in their communities,” the chairperson added.
Sustainable development
A governance expert and senior lecturer at the University for Development Studies, Dr Chrysogonus Anab, highlighted the crucial role of strong local structures in sustaining development initiatives.
He also commended SDD Ghana and STAR Ghana Foundation for their impactful intervention.
A representative of STAR Ghana Foundation, Frederick Yenbaar Nuuri-Teg, said the foundation was committed to collaborating with CSOs and other stakeholders to harness the power of volunteerism for positive change and development.
The Executive Director of RAINS, a Tamale-based NGO, Mohammed Hardi Tijani, who chaired the event, advised the children to take their studies equally seriously to enable them to contribute meaningfully to the development of the country.
On behalf of the Governance Coaches, Issah Dokurugu encouraged citizens to shift their mindset from “what can the country do for me, to what can I do for my country”.
