Minister appeals to stakeholders to monitor government programmes

Mr Evans Opoku-Bobie, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, has appealed to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and traditional authorities to support and monitor government’s social intervention programmes to achieve meaningful outcomes.

He said the roles of CSOs and traditional rulers in nation-building are essential, hence the need for them to be active and support the implementation of policies and programmes geared towards job-creation and poverty reduction.

Mr Opoku-Bobie said government expects active engagements of the CSOs, chiefs and queens to achieve the desired results in the implementation of her flagship programmes such as the Free Senior High School, Planting for Food and Jobs (PfFJs) and the One-District-One-Factory (1D1F).

The Regional Minister made the appeal in a speech read on his behalf at the Brong-Ahafo Regional launching of the STAR Ghana Foundation on Wednesday in Sunyani.

Speaking on the theme: “Promoting active citizenship; sustainable development through traditional authority and community members”, Mr Opoku-Bobie praised traditional rulers for their cooperation and support to the government in building a better Ghana.

He said as the embodiment of the people, the government would continue to ensure active engagement with traditional authorities towards national reconstruction processes as they represent the people and can help identify and address the needs of communities.

The ceremony which was attended by CSOs, traditional rulers, assembly members, the youth, vulnerable groups and tertiary students was organised by MIHOSO International Foundation, key partners of Star Ghana Foundation in the Brong-Ahafo Region.

Mr Opoku-Bobie said concerted effort is required to facilitate accelerated national development, so there is the need for CSOs, community members and traditional authorities to regard themselves as partners of development and support nation-building.

Active involvement of CSOs and traditional rulers in nation-building, he said, would enhance monitoring and supervision of government’s programmes to achieve the desired results.

Dr Gabriel Gbiel Benarkuu, the Chief Executive Officer of MIHOSO International, a social development-oriented non-governmental organisation (NGO), expressed appreciation to STAR Ghana’s leadership for her support to CSOs in Brong-Ahafo.

He said with the active support of STAR Ghana, his NGO has been able to achieve its mission of creating “a safe world for women, youth and children” in local and deprived communities.

Madam Adelaide Addo-Fening, a member of the Steering Committee of STAR Ghana, said STAR Ghana Foundation would become fully operational in 2020.

It would create a well-informed and active Ghanaian citizenry who could contribute to the transformational change that advances democracy, accountability and social inclusion.

The Foundation would remain Ghanaian-led and independent to propel Ghana beyond dependence on aid, support locally grown solutions to advance Ghana's development and contribute to sustainable and inclusive change.