CHRI urges Government make information on its initiatives easily accessible

The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), has called on the Government to as a matter of necessity make information regarding its social intervention programmes aimed at improving the living conditions of people easily accessible to the beneficiaries.

This, according to Madam Mina Mensah, Head of CHRI Africa Office, was crucial to court the people's support and deepen their understanding of the programmes for successful implementation to achieve the desired objective.

She made the call during an experience sharing forum to solicit information on the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) at Ajumako Assasan in the Ajumako Eyan District of the Central Region.

The experience sharing forum formed part of ‘Enhancing citizens voices’ project which seeks to mainstream access to information in the implementation of the LEAP to encourage citizens' participation in social interventions.

The project is being implemented by CHRI and the Right to Information Coalition, Ghana and sponsored by Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).

Madam Mensah emphasized that access to information was a constitutional right and an asset for citizens to actively participate in the democratic process of the country.

She said when people become well informed, they would be able to give better feedback that would inform the government about access the success or otherwise of the initiatives and to strategise to improve on implementation.

This was the best way to promote transparency and accountability, weed out corruption and bring governance to the doorsteps of the people.

Mrs Abena Serwaa Opare, Social Welfare and Community Development Officer in the district took participants through the process of LEAP registration, qualification and the benefits associated with it and urged them to take full advantage of it.

She advised the LEAP beneficiaries who were unable to personally receive their stipends due to old age or disability to appoint credible and trustworthy representatives to collect it on their behalf.

She encouraged the beneficiaries to put the money into good use instead of using on frivolous expenditure.

Mrs. Baaba Fleischer, Regional Coordinator of Right to Information Coalition, said the forum was created to empower the people on how to access information concerning the implementation of LEAP in the District.