She said this at Chirehin in the Kintampo South District of the Brong Ahafo Region on Tuesday, when she made a stop in that community to participate in a community interface meeting between the citizens and the District Assembly.

The meeting was organised by CARE International and the Women Integrated Development Organisation (WIDO), as part of the implementation of the USAID-funded Ghana’s Strengthening Accountability Mechanisms (GSAM) project.

After witnessing a successful engagement between the citizens and officials of the Assembly, Ms Cromer commended the residents of Chirehin for standing up to their local government authorities to demand accountability and improved service delivery.

“You asked the right questions today. You asked about the cost of the project, you asked about introducing you to the contractor, you asked about delays in construction, you asked about local content. All are excellent questions. I commend you. What we have heard is democracy in action. When communities have information, they are empowered. You are empowered. So I ask you today to continue to hold your leaders accountable.”

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Kintampo South, Alexander Gyan, who responded positively to issues raised by citizens, promised to get the road network to Chirehin properly fixed.

He also reiterated his commitment to ensure that the CHPS Compound that the Assembly is constructing in Chirehin is completed by December.

The Chief of Chirehin, Nana Owusu Gyan II, expressed gratitude to the USAID and its partners for extending the GSAM project to his community, and said the project had helped to improve the implementation of development projects by Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

He pleaded with the USAID and its partners to extend the lifespan of the project so that it can make greater impact and sustain the gains made.

The GSAM project is a five-year social accountability project that seeks to “strengthen citizens’ oversight of capital projects to improve local government transparency, accountability and performance in 100 districts of Ghana.

It is being funded by the USAID, and implemented by the GSAM project Consortium, which comprises CARE, OXFAM (formerly IBIS) and ISODEC.

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By: Mashoud Kombat/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post USAID Mission head urges communities to hold leaders accountable appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to Dr. Chambas, the request by 200 Ghanaians for asylum in Brazil though “unfounded, frivolous and regrettable,” was an indication of the “precarious state of the national economy at the moment.”

He called on the President Mahama to learn from the “tested blueprint of success” of his predecessor, the late President John Evans Atta Mills.

Dr. Chambas, speaking at a memorial lecture to commemorate the 2^nd anniversary of the passing of President John Mills, also advised the Regional body the Ecomonic community of West African States (ECOWAS), of which President Mahama is Chairman, to address concerns raised by civil society groups on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

He said, “we need to address those supply-side constraints, poor infrastructure, lack of energy, high cost of transportation, of shipment, the usually cumbersome procedures on the EU side that needs to be simplified … these are serious issues that need to be addressed so that we can truly take advantage of the huge European market that is offered under the EPA.”

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Run a “lean” gov’t like Mills did – Chambas to Mahama appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The second in the series of memorial lectures will come off on Thursday July 24, 2014 at the Auditorium of the College of Physicians and Surgeons here in Accra.

The first lecture, which was delivered by a governance analyst, Professor Kwamena Ahwoi, was held at the Accra International Conference Centre.

The memorial lecture will be preceded by a remembrance service at the Asomdwe Park which will be attended by friends and family members of the late President.

In a statement issued and signed by Koku Anyidoho, a former director of Communications at the Presidency, on behalf of the planning committee, the general public was invited to both events and advised to take note of the attire for the service, which is black & white or the commemorative cloth.

July 24 will mark two years since President Mills died at the 37 Military Hospitals in Accra at 14:15 hours, three days after celebrating his 68th birthday.

By: Raymond Acquah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ibn Chambas to deliver 2nd Mills memorial lecture appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.