The Tema Metropolitan Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has intensified efforts to promote transparency and citizen participation through a social auditing engagement aimed at strengthening accountability in local governance.
The forum, held in Tema, forms part of a nationwide initiative being implemented in 60 districts across Ghana’s 16 regions under the Participation, Accountability and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIRed) programme. The project, titled “Civic Engagements on the Rule of Law and the Fight Against Corruption,” seeks to equip citizens with the knowledge and tools to monitor public projects and demand lawful accountability.
The engagement brought together representatives from the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), civil society groups, market associations, students, religious bodies, and the media to deliberate on governance and development issues affecting the metropolis.
Madam Gloria A. Kudo, Deputy Greater Accra Regional Director of the NCCE, described the rule of law and public accountability as critical pillars of democratic governance and sustainable development. She explained that accountability functions on both the supply and demand sides — with public officials obligated to act transparently and citizens equally responsible for seeking information and monitoring public actions.
According to her, social auditing empowers residents to track developmental projects within their communities, assess quality and timeliness, and ensure that public resources are used effectively.
She noted that corruption remains a significant threat to local governance and national progress, making citizen vigilance essential. The initiative, she added, provides an opportunity for residents to identify gaps in service delivery and policy implementation while fostering shared responsibility for development.
During the session, participants raised concerns about faulty sewage systems, sanitation challenges, school indiscipline, child labour, and other pressing community issues, underscoring the need for continued dialogue between citizens and duty bearers.
