Founding President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has suggested to President John Dramani Mahama that the proposed Governance Advisory Council should be the fulcrum around which we can exact accountability from all public officials.
He further suggested that ministers and chief directors should sign on to a framework of openness and stakeholder co-creation of a defined vision for their department or sector.
“They should commit to open data and radical transparency,” he added.
Franklin Cudjoe wrote this on his Facebook after Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) met President John Dramani Mahama on Monday May 26 on the plan to create the Council.
The President said, “this is a key promise from my campaign, which is intended to enhance accountability and transform our governance system. The Council will be an independent watchdog, monitoring human rights, corruption, and overall governance in Ghana. An annual report on human rights, corruption, and governance will be key to transparency and progress. I am committed to creating a transparent, accountable government that reflects the values of our beloved country. ”
Franklin Cudjoe in his Facebook post said that “I suggested that the Governing Council should be the fulcrum around which we can exact accountability from all public officials in the manner prescribed below.
- Ministers and chief directors should sign on to a framework of openness and stakeholder co-creation of a defined vision for their department/ sector.
- They should commit to open data and radical transparency.
- They should hold monthly hybrid (physical and virtual) townhalls where every aspect of the procurement, performance, operations, milestones tracking, and monitoring & evaluation elements shall be openly discussed. Any answers not immediately available shall be made available within a week.
- Citizens who tune in can join the stakeholder group for the Vision. A simple digital enrolment system shall be used to keep things organised.
- Every month, a poll shall be taken to take the pulse of the stakeholder group. Only stakeholders who made it to at least one of the townhalls can participate.
- At the six month mark, they will be celebrated for the progress made and given feedback to improve.
- The above will not replace the formal audits and other PFM controls. Our hope is that it will invigorate them, bring the essence in them to the fore and make them more meaningful to citizens.
“At the end of the meeting, CSO leaders present recommended, Alhaji Tanko of STAR-Ghana, Dr. Valerie Sawyer, Mrs. Beauty Emefa Bartey and myself to receive recommendations, review them and submit potential ideas to make the Governing Council idea work or be scrapped,” he added.
