Strengthen capacity of MMDAs to deepen democracy

Community-based and non-governmental organisations have been urged to complement government’s efforts to build the capacity of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to deepen democracy.

Samuel Yaw Adusei, Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, said they could do this through periodic workshops, seminars and forums on good governance to aid the assemblies to become responsive to their responsibilities.

This was contained in a speech read for him at a day’s training workshop on “district planning and budgeting process” organized by the Local Governance Network (LOGNet) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kumasi.

It targeted women groups, including assembly-members and persons with disability drawn from the Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo.

“Building capacity for effective citizens’ participation in local governance” was the theme.

Mr. Adusei said with the introduction of the composite budget it had become imperative to properly sensitize the MMDAs on the district planning and budgeting process.

This would prepare them adequately for efficient participation in the development of medium term plans, he said.

He said the government was eager to see the assemblies responded well to the needs of the people, become accountable and transparent in the discharge of their duties.

Mr Adusei said that was why it would mobilize the required resources to support initiatives that promoted good governance at the various levels of the democratic process.

Saaka Sayuti, National Coordinator of LOGNet, said the workshop was meant to create awareness, sharpen the skills and deepen the appreciation of the participants in the composite budgeting and planning of the assemblies.