Civil society groups urged to intensify education, advocacy campaigns

Agona-Nkwanta (W/R) March 25, GNA - Civil society groups in the country have been called upon to intensify their educational and advocacy campaigns in their respective communities.

Mr Victor Dosoo, Organising Secretary of the National Advocacy Committee on Good Governance (NACOGG) made the call at the inauguration of the Agona Nkwanta branch of the Cooperative League of the United States of America (CLUSA), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), at Agona Nkwanta on Thursday.

The objective of the civic union, which draws its members from the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, Ghana Hairdressers, Beauticians association, women's groups and the Christian Council, was to educate communities to take advocacy more seriously.

He said the role of civil society organisations in democratic governance cannot be overemphasised and that there was also the need for them to be part of the decision-making processes.

Mr Dosoo said the Government Accountability Improvement Trust (GAIT) programme designed by CLUSA was to support the policies of the government and ensure that the citizenry understood provisions therein. He said CLUSA also aims at promoting transparency, accountability and good governance at all levels and would make leadership skills training, advocacy, lobbying skills, group formation and dynamic, financial management and participatory planning its major priority. Mr Jacob Anderson, chairman of CLUSA, advised members of the union not to use their positions to amass wealth, intimidate others, or engage in political activities.

Mr Peter Amenu-Kpornyo, Ahanta West District Coordinating Director asked members of CLUSA to intensify their civic education activities in the district and involve the communities in the decision-making process. He said lack of interest on the part of many community members to attend public functions was a major problem confronting the district and asked the group to work towards reversing the situation.