RISE-Ghana has partnered with the Bolgatanga East Evidence for Development Community of Practice to spearhead a citizen-driven education and health sector policy convening.
This innovative approach aims to inform the Bolgatanga East District Assembly’s medium-term development plan, ensuring that the voices of citizens and community members are heard.
The maiden convening, held under the theme “Harnessing Community Structures for Inclusive and Quality Education,” brought together stakeholders to discuss and shape the district’s education sector policy.
This collaborative effort seeks to address the historical exclusion of citizen perspectives from the planning process, which has often resulted in development plans that fail to reflect community needs.
According to Awal Ahmed Kariama, Executive Director of RISE-Ghana, the project marks a significant shift in development planning by engaging citizens and community members in the decision-making process.
“Traditionally, there is evidence that the views of the people are not always captured in the four-year district development plan. So this project marks a significant shift in how we approach development planning, moving away from the traditional method of district assembly planning. By engaging citizens and community members in the decision-making process, we can create policies that truly serve the people’s interests,” he stated.
The initiative is part of the Bolgatanga East Evidence for Development (E4D) project, supported by CDD-Ghana. By harnessing the power of community-driven policy development, RISE-Ghana and its partners are paving the way for more inclusive and effective development planning in the education and health sectors.
The Bolgatanga East District Coordinating Director, Michael Awini, emphasized the significance of the project, highlighting its potential to improve education and health development in the district. He also expressed gratitude to RISE-Ghana and CDD-Ghana for their support in advancing the district’s development.
Stakeholders who participated in the maiden media and citizen convening included the Director of Education, the Ghana National Coalition on Education, E4D Community of Practice members, media representatives, Community Development Association members, Assembly Members, the Convener of the Education Sub-Committee, DPCU members, and EMIS representatives. Other participants included Quality Assurance Officers, Women’s Associations, Parents’ Associations, and Community Liaison Officers.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1MHz | David Azure | Zuarungu
