The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs will soon roll out a new Social Accountability Initiative aimed at giving citizens, traditional rulers, and religious leaders the power to directly question their local assemblies about how resources are used.
The announcement was made by Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, during his address at the National Dialogue on Decentralisation and Responsive Governance in Accra.
According to the Minister, the initiative will provide a platform where ordinary citizens, chiefs, and faith leaders can hold District Assemblies to account for their performance, spending, and service delivery. “This initiative will entrench accountability at the local level and empower citizens to be active participants in governance, not passive observers,” he declared.
The Minister noted that for the first time in the Fourth Republic, Assemblies have received both the first and second tranches of the 80 percent allocation from the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), with the third tranche expected soon. He said this was clear proof of the Government’s commitment under President John Dramani Mahama to ensure that decentralisation is backed by real resources.
However, he admitted that problems such as sanitation challenges and broken street lighting persist in many districts. Sharing his recent meeting with MMDCEs and Coordinating Directors in Accra, he stressed that public office is a call to service, not an opportunity for self-enrichment. “Criticism from the public is inevitable, but consistent delivery of results will turn criticism into praise,” he said.
The Minister stressed that citizens must have a stronger voice in shaping local priorities and monitoring results. His announcement of the new initiative creates a framework for active public participation in governance while ensuring that local leaders are held accountable for how funds are used and how effectively projects are delivered.
“This Dialogue must not be another talk shop. It must be the beginning of a culture where leaders account, communities question, and together we build the responsive governance our people deserve,” Hon. Ibrahim said.
