Bolgatanga, July 18, GNA - Foundation for Grassroots Initiatives in

Africa, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), is undertaking a programme to build the capacity of members of civic organisations in the Upper East Region, to enable them to participate effectively in local Governance.

The NGO seeks to reduce poverty, ensure the protection of political, economic and social rights of the poor and the marginalized in the region.

Beneficiaries of the programme were taken through negotiations and dialogue skills to empower them to demand that the assemblies provide the people with their needs.

Under the Project, "Local Civic Coalitions"(LCC), were formed to bring together civic groups such as market women, traders, restaurant owners, farmer groups, hairdressers, dressmakers, butchers, among others to form coalitions to serve as mouthpiece of the people. The Project which begun last year in the Talensi-Nabdam District in the region, is being replicated at the Bolgatanga Municipality and the Bongo and Kassena Nankana Districts.

The formation of the LCC in the Bolgatanga Municipality, which attracted 42 participants from the various groups has been initiated. The Capacity Building Officer of the LCC Project of the NGO, Mr. James Awini said the LCC was operating in the Talensi-Nabdam District, where members of the community were effectively applying the skills and knowledge acquired from training for the betterment of the people. Mr. Awini said that the project sought to contribute to the success of the decentralization programme by empowering the people with the necessary skills to enable them to actively participate in local governance. He said it sought to empower the people to be able to engage successfully and peacefully with duty bearers to provide their needs. Mr. Awini said that LCC project would help develop the capacity of civic groups so that they could take part in decision-making processes at the Municipal and District Assembly levels to enhance the decentralization process. He also indicated that the project would increase the understanding of local communities about the concept of decentralization and how the local government system functions. Mr. Awini said the project would help in the consolidation of democratic governance through increased Civic group involvement in public policy making at the grassroots. He urged the people to unite towards the development of the areas. Participants at the programme said the LCC Project would encourage them to advance their cause as members of various groups. They said at times the assemblies and service providers imposed heavy levies on them without consultation.