The Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has in recent times made robust moves to infuse openness in the social ? public financial accountability of the Asante-Akim Central Municipality.
Under its project “Social Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability? (SPEFA), CEDEP has succeeded to create a platform that engages key stakeholders, the public and management of the Assembly in a candid discourse on how incomes are generated and disbursed for development projects.
The project has been hailed as laudable, as it has boosted public confidence and strengthened relationship with the Municipal Assembly and the communities.
At the fourth of such meetings held at Odumase to discuss participatory budgeting and public financial management budget template, Mrs Aba Oppong, Programme Coordinator of CEDEP, said the project was aimed at taking participatory democracy in local governance one notch higher.
She said CEDEP wanted to be part of efforts to help clear all nuances and doubts in public circles regarding activities of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDCEs),
Mrs. Aba Oppong, said it would also improve the relationship across political parties as they were brought together on one platform to participate in the forums to be privy to the development plans of the Assemblies.
She urged the Assembly to consider views of the public in drawing their budget, as well as development plans, not only to foster healthy relationship, but also avoid misplaced priorities.
Mr. Michael Opoku-Nkansah, the Municipal Coordinating Director, admitted that SPEFA had brought the public closer to the Assembly, but called on participants to widely disseminate the information.
He pledged the Assembly?s preparedness to avail itself to the people and encourage them to make enquiries at the Assembly, saying its doors were always opened.
Participants lauded CEDEP for the rare opportunity created for the people to interact with the Assembly and called for its sustenance.
GNA
