Politics

Justice and Peace C’ssion of Yendi Diocese launches local governance project

The Justice and Peace Commission of the Yendi Diocese of the Catholic Church has launched a project on community participation in local governance for transparency and accountability.

The project which is on the theme: ‘Community Participation in Local Governance and for Transparency, Accountability and Development’ was sponsored by Konrad Adenaeur Foundation with the aim of sensitising the local people to participate in local governance for transparency accountability and community development.

At least 100 participants including traditional authorities, religious leaders, political leaders, Assembly Members and Heads of Departments drawn from Yendi and Nanumba North Municipalities, Tatale/Sangule, Saboba, Mion, Zabzugu, Gushegu, and Nanumba South Districts participated in the launch.

Bishop Vincent Boi-Nai, of the Yendi Catholic Diocese, who launched the programme, observed that governance was an integral part of society and rate of development depended on the system of governance.

“Local governance system is structured on district assembly concept, where it operates on devolution or delegated powers from central government to ensure unique development.

“The citizenry must participate in activities of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, Zonal and Area Councils, and Unit Committees in their areas for when it comes to allocation of funds to assemblies, transparency and accountability is key to citizens,” Bishop Boi-Nai stressed.

Reverend Father Kwasi Adjei, National Director of National Justice and Peace Commission, indicated that the purpose of the project was to create awareness of local governance participation among communities for rapid and sustainable development.

He reminded stakeholders in local governance to ensure accountability, transparency and development and the Catholic Church had collaborated with the government and non governmental agencies to build responsible communities through advocacy awareness creation and projects.

Reverend Father David Kajal, Vicar General of the Diocese of Yendi, noted that the project is one of the initiatives of the Catholic Church to educate and empower the citizenry to effectively and efficiently engage and participate in political discussions and decision making processes.

He said in that way citizens were able to contribute to development of local areas and demand development, accountability and transparency from political office holders towards sustainability.

“At our recent meeting in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Bishops of West African Sub-Region identified political awareness and participation in governance as root causes of illegal migration with its attendant consequences of suffering, pain and death,” Rev Fr Kajal disclosed. –GNA

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