MMDAs asked to create enabling atmosphere for local governance participation

Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs)have been asked to create the enabling environment for community participation in local governance.

Madam Fustina Essando Yedu, head of Department, Environmental Science Policy and Management of Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS), who made the call, reminded MMDAs that the local government system seeks to enhance grassroots participation in decision-making.

She was speaking at a three-day workshop on social accountability for heads of decentralized departments, assembly members, chiefs and representatives of civil society organizations in the Jomoro District, at Half Assini on Monday.

It was organised by the Institute of Local Government Studies in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and Local Governance Decentralization Programme for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies throughout the country.

The programme aimed at introducing participants to community participation in local governance and accountability.

Madam Yedu noted that there had been confrontation between some Assemblies and the people over the issue of accountability, and expressed the hope that the workshop would help participants to find solution to problems.

Mr. Sylvester Daddie, District Chief Executive for Jomoro, appealed to the ILGS to live up to expectation on its duty of bringing to bear the practical meaning of local governance in the country.

He asked the participants to contribute positively to the workshop, and make suggestions for the improvement of the decentralization process.

Mr Daddie called on the people to support the assembly for the development of the area.