Slow development of New Juaben blamed on weak lower structures

A forum representing various interest groups of society at Asokore near Koforidua, has blamed the weak lower structures of the New Juaben Municipal Assembly for the slow development of the area.

The forum observed that due to the weakness of the lower structures of the assembly, members of the structures could not effectively implement the decisions of the assembly or enforce the powers conferred on them under the local government system of the country.

This came to light at an Issues Identification Forum (IIF) organized by the New Juaben branch of the Governance Issues Forum Network (GIFTNet) at Asokore near Koforidua at the weekend.

The GIFTNet is a forum of civil society groups that create opportunity for citizens to participate in the decision making process of the country.

The forum was attended by representatives of the media, local council of churches, teachers, civil society organizations, farmers and an assembly member of the area.

The IIF is used by the GIFNet to help communities to identify obstacles to their progress and for ordinary citizens to help provide possible solutions to the challenges.

The participants observed that, the high Parent/Teacher Association dues, high cost of extra classes to pupils and students, imposition of educational materials on pupils to buy by teachers at schools were some of the challenges facing education in the New Juaben Municipality.

The participants blamed the lack of electricity at many pubic basic schools as one of the challenges facing the introduction of pupils to Information, Communication and Technological (ICT) education which limits life opportunities for pupils in rural communities.