Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and UNICEF Ghana say the first results of the maiden District League Table (DLT) is ready and due for launching by the Local Government and Rural Development Minister.
The DLT report, which would be unveiled on Tuesday, November 25, is expected to stimulate interactions between citizens and government representatives to promote social accountability and transparency in service delivery.
Mr Franklin Oduro, Head of Research and Programmes at CDD-Ghana, a think tank, told journalists over the week that the District League Table (DLT) is targeting the district assemblies and serving as a holistic measurement on district development.
He noted that while central government is providing services to the people, accountability and transparency are limited between the service providers and beneficiaries.
The 216 districts would be subjected to annual ranking and assessment in terms of their performance in health, education, sanitation, water, security and governance.
The move is expected to encourage competition among the districts and promote transparency and accountability in service delivery to the citizenry and improve their wellbeing.
Mr Oduro said the total wellbeing of the people was of great concern and that called for national and local action to improve the quality of life of the people to live a dignified life.
“We belief that when citizens are well informed they will demand accountability and officials or duty-bearers will respond appropriately,” he added.
Mr Charles Dzradosi of UNICEF explained that the ranking is not to find fault about the districts or their chief executives but to serve as a performance tool that is expected to promote healthy competition to enhance quality of life of the citizens.
He said: “It is to help the districts learn best practices from each other, not about naming and shaming any… chief executive not doing well.”
The specific indicators on how the districts are faring would focus on access to water by rural communities, average Basic Education Certificate Examination pass rate and skilled attendant at delivery.
The rest are district certification as open defecation free, coverage of police services and evidence of district assembly holding ordinary meetings.
This is to increase transparency of district information, support government’s ability to target development, raise public awareness on rights, and support debate and dialogue on local development.
