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Media Accountability Network on local governance was inaugurated at Dormaa-Ahenkro in the Brong Ahafo region on tuesday september 2nd 2014 to help track and monitor revenue inflows and outflows at the municipal and district assemblies in the region.
The implementation of the network was projected by Gifts Fm, a radio station at Dormaa-Ahenkro and Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF), a human rights and media advocacy non-governmental organisation.
39 Media Practitioners from the region attended the ceremony which was inagurated by Mrs. Lamisi Dambire, Media Officer at Star-Ghana. The occasion was also witnessed by Mr. Amengor Leonard, Former Director Of GBC in the Brong Ahafo region.
Project Coordinator, Mr. Victor Fosu, speaking at the occasion said, the vision/target of the network came-up in mind after Media Practitioners from the various medium (News paper and Radio) met on the 27th of June 2014 at Dormaa Ahenkro to opinioned on how to assist the project.
According to him, they surveyed 15 communities whereby 75% of the people said they do not know how the district assemblies use their common-fund. He noted that the three-year project being implemented in 15 communities was aimed at promoting revenue mobilisation through tax education and ensuring transparency and accountability at the assembly level.
Mr. Raphael Godlove Ahenu, Chief Executive Officer of GLOMEF said, district assemblies ought be more responsive and accountable to the people. He also asked the network not to use the platform to achieve their parochial interest, but rather think about the interest of the nation first in the course of their duties.
Mr. Peter Nketia, Budgeting Officer of Dormaa Municipal Assembly said, the assembly has been a beneficiary ever since they cooperated with the project. He stated that, people are now willing to give out information to the police and the assembly, as a result, their internal generated fund (IGF) has been increased by 61% from January to June 2014.
As part of activities at ceremony, Group members elected leaders to champion the cause of the network.
Mr. Dennis Kwadwo Peprah of Ghana News Agency (GNA) was elected as the President, Mr. Michael Boateng Yeboah of the Finder newspapa as Vice-President, Kafui Nestor Aduna of Multi-Tv as Secretary, Emmanuel Appiah (Odeneho) of J.Life Fm/Daily Democrat Newspaper as Organiser and Nana Yaw Nketia Isaac of Gifts Fm as Public Relations Officer (P.R.O).
Whereby Mavis Anima Yeboah of United Television (UTV) was appointed as the Deputy P.R.O.
Compiled By: Kofi Oppong Kyekyeku (KOK)
