Shama District assembly launches OGP plan for 2021-2023

The Shama District Assembly has launched its 2021 to 2023 Open Governance Partnership (OGP)Action Plan for stakeholder involvement and implementation.

The Assembly, after joining the global initiative, was required to develop a policy document for approval by the International Secretariat to improve upon existing Governance structures and ensure overall citizen participation in the local governance process.

Mr. Abu Mahama, the District Planning Officer at the launch and dissemination ceremony to unveil the action plan to stakeholders, said the assembly had successfully prepared the first ever local OGP Action Plan, to be implemented from 2021-2023.

The plan, with five commitment sessions, sought to enhance Community benefits in the Extractive Industry, promote participation in governance through planning, budgeting and implementation, water and clean environment and increase participation of women and People With Disabilities and access to Information within a stipulated period.

The overall objective is to deepen Open Governance and participation as well as win Public trust in the local Governance processes.

Mr. Mahama said “As an assembly, we are required to pursue the implementation of the plan with immediate effect…As key stakeholders, you are to help drive the needed progress from the plan”.

Mr. Ebenezer Dadzie, the Shama District Chief Executive said local governance continued to be a tool for development and that the assembly was poised to concretize the commitment to promote Open Governance .

He said the assembly would also leverage on capacities and existing mechanisms to empower the citizens, fight corruption, and harness ICT to improve Governance to ensure that the plan works to the benefit of the people.
Nana Akosua Gyamfiaba, the Acting Queenmother of the traditional area, entreated all stakeholders to work hard to enable Ghana to gain more recognition as a country dedicated to open administration.

Nana Brekrom II, the Chief of Assorko, who chaired the ceremony prayed that all the required resources would be mobilized to ensure successful implementation of the plan…”our launch and dissemination should not end on paper, let’s take practical actions to cement the commitment and make lives better for us all”.

Mr. Solomon Ampofo, of the Friends of the Nation an NGO, prayed that the opportunity for Ghana on that global platform would translate into transparency, participation and accountability for the growth of the country.