Gov’t is developing media network on local gov’t

Government is developing media network on local government public financial management to enhance accountability at the local level.

Akwasi Opong-Fosu, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, who announced this, said: “The media network is intended to increase the awareness of ordinary citizens on public financial management issues as well as to enhance information flow between citizens and the local government authorities’’.

The minister, who made these remarks at a sensitisation workshop organized for media practitioners in Accra, reminded journalists that they were important partners in consolidating democracy and alleviating poverty.

Akwasi Opong-Fosu said the initiative formed part of a World Bank funded project titled: "Local Government Capacity Support," which seeks to provide an integrated package support to strengthen the capacity of urban assemblies.

The 175-million dollar Government of Ghana-World Bank initiative, which targets 46 Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies, which would be implemented over a five-year period.

Mr Opong-Fosu said following a review of the decentralization concept in 2008, a lot of resources would be made available to the Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies, which would require the involvement of the media in monitoring and evaluating the activities of the assemblies.

Irene Messiba, Head of Social Accountability Unit at the Ministry, said the media network has already been rolled out in 9 regions in the country.

She said the network would be responsible for disseminating information on relevant issues such as budgeting, auditing and financial accounting.

Mrs Messiba said the ministry has developed new (but yet to be approved) budget, audit and financial templates for easy reading and analysis for use by the metropolitan and municipal assemblies.