20 journalists schooled on how to hold MMDAs accountable to citizens

The Community Development Alliance (CDA-Ghana), in partnership with Democracy International (DI), has organized a Regional Media Workshop under the USAID Ghana Performance Accountability Activity (PAA).

The two-day workshop aimed to strengthen media-civil society partnerships for effective public services advocacy was held at Wa from December 12-13, 2024.

The intellectual engagement brought together 20 media practitioners across the 10 PAA Zone of influence in the region.

The event highlighted the critical role of the media in amplifying the voices of civil society to advocate for accountable and quality public services.

Pognaa Fati Koray, the Upper West Regional Coordinating Director, urged media practitioners to maintain professionalism in their work and effectively utilize legal instruments.

She highlighted that the Local Government Act of 2016 (Act 936), along with the amended Act 940, mandates Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to ensure transparent, participatory, and accountable governance at the local level.

“The media’s ability to disseminate accurate information, uncover inefficiencies, and advocate for the needs of citizens aligns directly with this mandate, making it a crucial ally in promoting effective public service advocacy,” she stated.

Participants were equipped with the skills and knowledge to report on public services and hold duty bearers accountable.

The USAID Ghana Performance Accountability Activity (PAA) is a critical initiative aimed at promoting accountability and transparency in public service delivery.

The five-year-old project is in its second year and is implemented in 70 Districts across 10 Regions in Ghana, including Upper West, Upper East, Northern, and North East. The rest are Savanah, Oti, Volta, Western, Western North, and Central Regions.

The partnership between CDA-Ghana, DI, and USAID is expected to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations and the media to advocate for quality public services in areas like education, health, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), agriculture, and fisheries services across the beneficiary Districts.

The workshop is a significant step towards promoting effective public services advocacy in the Upper West Region.

As the media plays a critical role in shaping public discourse, this partnership is expected to yield positive results in promoting accountability and transparency in public service delivery.