60 trained in district assembly planning process at Okere

• Cross section of the participants having group discussion

A training aimed at enhancing the capacity of traditional authorities, assembly members, leaders of youth groups and Persons with Disability (PWD) to promote development in their respective communities has been held in the Okere District of the Eastern Region.

The two-day training, geared towards educating participants to get involved in the District Assembly Planning Process was organised by the Hunger Project-Ghana, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

In all, 60 participants selected from the Hunger Project’s coverage communities namely Asaasekokor, Baware, Otareso, Atweturede and Mankrado benefitted from the training.

The facilitator, Mr Edem John-Elliote, consultant for Savana Alliance Ghana noted that the training was in fulfilment of Section 40 of the Local Government Act 2016, which mandated the citzenry to participate in the planning process of their assemblies.

He advised participants to develop their own community plan, state how resource can be mobilised, be responsible and forge cordial relationship with the assemblies during the planning process.

Mr John-Elliote noted that over the years participation in the planning process at the assembly level had been poor due to lack of education to equip the citizenry on their rights.

According to him, participatory monitoring was key to the development of every community and urged participants to be interested in both the planning and monitoring of ongoing assembly processes as responsible citizens.

He assured them that the projects would be gender responsive, disability friendly and children-centred for the benefit of all.

From Kodjo David, Baware