He said people voted for or appointed by the government to the various assemblies should be the best of the human resource available, who could lead the developmental agenda of the country.

 

He stated this at the information session and launch of a project which aims at strengthening ties between government and civil society organisations in Accra.

 

Collaboration

 

The project was organised by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD- Ghana) and the French Embassy in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) and the Public Sector Reform Secretariat.

 

It aims at encouraging participation in governance and increasing citizens’ engagement  with national and local authorities to improve governance in the country.

 

Citizens’ Interest

 

Nii Lante Vanderpuye said due to lack of citizens’ interest and participation in governance, especially at the local level, many elected assembly members lacked the basic skills in development but the government has to appoint people with requisite skills to contribute to assembly debates. 

 

He said the importance of citizens’ participation in governance and service delivery at the local level was recognised and guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

 

According to the deputy minister, an active community participation within the territorial boundaries of a local authority ensures good governance and improved public service delivery.

 

Greater Participation

 

“This includes greater participation of civil society and citizens in the decision-making process especially in the planning, budgeting, implementation and supervision processes of our local administration,” he said.

 

Nii Lante Vanderpuye said in 2010, government recognised the importance of the involvement of non-state actors in local governance and the national decentralisation policy framework was formulated at the time.

 

He said since then the government had taken significant steps with the help of both local and international institutions, including the World Bank and now the French Government to strengthen citizens’ participation in governance and stimulate the demand for accountability.

 

The French Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Frederic Clavier, said there was the need to make citizens aware of their responsibilities and the rules and regulations governing the district level elections.