The STAR-Ghana Foundation recently held a forum in Tamale, where participants urged Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to develop standard indicator trackers for monitoring government commitments related to healthcare improvements.
These trackers are intended to assess the performance of government policies and projects implemented in various communities aimed at fostering economic growth.
By rigorously monitoring government projects concerning healthcare facilities in their respective communities, citizens can gain insight into how budget allocations are utilized. Additionally, providing funding for CSO activities will strengthen their role in monitoring government performance and advocating for necessary reforms.
During the forum, CSOs were encouraged to collaborate with the government to identify specific healthcare issues and recommend communities that are in dire need of healthcare facilities to enhance the quality of healthcare services available to citizens.
This initiative was part of the STAR-Ghana Foundation’s efforts within the Inclusive Elections and Accountable Governance in Ghana Project (Phase III), part of the Gender Rights and Empowerment Project (G-REP) held in Tamale. Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the project aimed to address critical national conversations focused on monitoring government commitments in the health sector. It brought together key stakeholders, including civil society organizations, healthcare practitioners, advocacy groups, and the media, to promote evidence-based advocacy and policy dialogue.
The forum aimed to improve healthcare service delivery and ensure accountability. It provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss ways to leverage CSOs’ evidence-based advocacy for enhanced healthcare services.
Dr. Yaa Nyarko Adjeso from the Directorate of Community Relations and Outreach Programs at the University for Development Studies (UDS) highlighted the challenges rural communities often face regarding healthcare delivery. She emphasized that if government policies for building more facilities and allocating resources to the healthcare system are implemented with proper monitoring, it would lead to an improved health system in Ghana. Therefore, she called for effective and efficient monitoring of government policies at the community level.
Dr. Adjeso commended STAR-Ghana for engaging citizens and CSOs in discussions about government policies related to the health system.
Saaka James from the Tamawuta Foundation noted that many government projects have been abandoned at the community level. He stressed that forming a consortium would help track government projects and hold contractors accountable for the incomplete work. James urged communities and CSOs to act as watchdogs for government promises made in their manifestos.
Mr. Raymond Danso, the Manager of the Rights to Social Services Portfolio at STAR-Ghana, indicated that the event focused on health-related discussions aligned with the foundation’s policies aimed at creating spaces for citizens and vulnerable groups to engage with duty bearers. He emphasized that CSOs should work towards developing an accountability framework to assist the government in implementing manifesto policies while holding them accountable to citizens concerning health, education, and social protection.
The forum also aimed to educate CSOs on identifying key areas for collaboration with the government to enhance citizens’ welfare. “There are innovative policy interventions that, if effectively delivered, mobilized, and adequately supported with infrastructure, could transform the health sector and ensure citizens have access to quality and affordable health services in Ghana,” he stated.
Mr. Danso asserted that citizens’ role is not limited to demanding accountability; they should also play a part in shaping policies that contribute to the development of the national agenda. “We are committed to supporting the government in delivering on health and the nation’s prospects, incorporating the feedback gathered from citizens,” he concluded.
