The Hunger Project, Ghana (THP) has organized a two-day workshop to train community leaders at Apau-Wawase, a farming community in the Ayensuano District in the Eastern Region.
The training aimed at building capacities of Area Council and Unit Committee members on local governance, is part of the “Strengthening Sub-District Institutions for Community – led public services in Ghana” project implemented by the Hunger Project.
The Hunger Project Ghana is implementing the three-year project in five districts in the Eastern Region with funding by the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Mr Solomon Amoakwa, the project Coordinator of Hunger Project Ghana, explained that the project goals are to improve public participation in local governance by building their capacities and knowledge levels to improve local development.
Participants were taken through stages of participatory planning and community development plans, benefits of community action plans, modalities and platforms for participation in District Assembly processes, Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) preparation processes, and monitoring and tracking of community developmental projects.
Mr Edem John-Elliot, a project consultant, noted that participants were taken through the Assembly processes to be able to establish and identify indicators for efficiency and compliance to the laid down procedures in community development to enhance participation.
“Monitoring is not an investigation nor attack on the implementer of a development project or the assembly but it is more of an enquiry and an engagement to know why something is happening in a way,” he indicated.
Madam Comfort Obiribea, participant from one of the surrounding communities said the training would not only ensure access to basic services but would also advance women’s interest in decision-making processes.
As part of the training session, participants were assisted to draw their Medium-Term Development Plan for the various communities.
By Emelia Addae, GNA
