TEERE EMPOWERS CITIZENS TO PARTICIPATE IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE
TEERE, a Non-Governmental Organization based in the Upper East Region is advocating for citizen participation in the development of their various communities and societies.
Although decentralization is supposed to be for the people (residents), they seem to be unconcerned and are not part of it. People are sitting aloof and are still living in the past where they expect the government and other agencies to bring development to their communities.
Speaking to a1radioonline.com on the sidelines of TEERE Local Governance Forum in Bongo Thursday, Chief Executive Officer for the NGO, Prof. Avea Nsoh mentioned that his outfit seeks to get the people involved in the development of their various communities.
The former Upper East Regional Minister indicated that it was time for people at the local level to sit with their leaders and work together to resolve pressing issues and manage their development.
“We want to involve citizens in their own affairs at the local levels. When they find a problem like teenage pregnancies, diseases, high school dropout, no schools or if there are serious problems in their community they should be able to sit up and stand up and together with their leadership work together and be able to bring change.”
He added “we expect that at the district level, citizens can be part of the management of their own resources, part of the ideas and own opportunities that the districts have. We want them to contribute positively to exploit those opportunities and make things better for the communities.”
He noted that currently, a chunk of resources both human and material have been pumped into Decentralization but mentioned that if the people do not get involved, it will be a waste hence his organization’s quest to get the people involved.
Source: Radio A1
By: Offei-Akoto Ayeh
