The District Chief Executive for Talensi District in the Upper East Region Hon. Edward Awenori has called for a broader and wider consultation with Assemblies and other relevant institutions and stakeholders in ranking the various districts in the country in terms of development level.
The 2015 District League Table (DLT) designed by UNICEF Ghana and the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD Ghana) has placed the Talensi district at the 111th position and placing it amongst the least developing districts in the region.
Talensi District scored 56.4% representing 0.2 percentage points above the national average of 56% and occupying the 10th position amongst the thirteen districts in the upper east region. In the 2014 DLT, the Talensi district occupied the 75th position nationally but has slipped by 36 steps downwards to 111th position in the 2015 DLT.
But in an interview with Azongo Albert, Hon. Edward Awenori said the grading came as a surprise to many Assemblies in the country especially concerning the indicators that were used to arrive at the grading of the Assemblies. He added that inasmuch as the ranking may have a positive impact on all Assemblies involved, engaging stakeholders including the Assemblies would have given a true and better reflection of the situation on the grounds.
He said “most Assemblies believe that if you actually want to do an assessment of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, there are stakeholders and so you would engage the stakeholders and let them know that we are at the end of the year assessing you based on A,B,C,D. This is not the Anas kind of thing where somebody would have to hide and do something. It’s about development and if it’s about Health, Education or whatever, let the people know. Information should be taken and you visit the community and pick information.”
He disclosed that no one has interacted with him as a DCE concerning the grading of the Assembly but believed that a further and broader consultation in subsequent rankings would help better the DLT.
Hon. Awenori however added that DLT is very essential to all stakeholders and would keep Assemblies on their toes to do more to get good positions and hence pushing for development.
“If the assessment continues, it would keep people on their toes as far as championing developmental issues are concern but the indicators and parameters that are used should be clear. Stakeholders should be well involved.” He added.
Even though he would not discredit the latest ranking, he intimated that the Talensi district is doing its best within its limit in all sectors and that has gotten to an appreciable level though much still needs to be done.
By: Azongo Albert | A1RADIOONLINE.com | GHANA
