The daunting task of taking Afadzato South District to greater heights of development rests on the shoulders of its gallant citizens.
To be able to locate the district in the public good being delivered, the good people of Afadzato South need to understand the broader plans and policies outlined by the government under the able leadership of President Mahama.
The question that perhaps will come to mind is what is the policy direction of Mahama’s agenda, its potential impact on Afadzato South and what role is there for stakeholders to play in achieving the same?
In providing insights on Mahama’s Resetting Ghana Agenda, key policies, including Economic Reforms, Reducing the cost of living, and accountable governance, among others, come in handy.
In the context of Afadzato South, there’s an urgent need to expand the local economy through massive investment in agriculture for job creation, tourism and implementing reforms within the local government structures to build a strong and resilient district.
To add to the above, there is a need for deliberate efforts at the local level to satisfy the president’s plans to reduce the cost of living, expand public infrastructure, provide healthcare, implement affirmative action for girls and women, and expand educational opportunities.
Also, actions by citizens and officialdom must be subjected to strict and high standards of accountability in line with President Mahama’s agenda to promote transparency and accountable governance.
In implementing the above policy directives for positive impact, what then becomes the role of relevant stakeholders in Afadzato South?
The role each stakeholder group needs to play in no particular order of importance is as follows;
District Chief Executive (DCE) and staff of the Assembly:
The District Chief Executive (DCE), together with staff of the Assembly, are expected to prioritise the people’s needs using credible data, contribute to implementing the reset agenda policies at the district to transform the local economy, create meaningful jobs, and ensure shared growth;
The Member of Parliament (MP):
The MP needs to work and lobby for development projects for the poor district to ensure its facelift. As a link between the communities and government, it is required of the MP to advocate and ensure that the policies of the new government are localised to the benefit of constituents.
Afadzato South Citizens:
Citizens of Afadzato South, including traditional leaders, need to continue playing their roles in shaping the district’s development potentials by remaining vigilant and demanding accountability from duty bearers to ensure sustained progress.
The NDC Party Executives:
The NDC executives, together with the DCE and MP, have to work closely together to ensure peaceful cohesion within the rank and file of the party. Since the government was formed on the back of the party, it’s critically important for party leaders within the jurisdiction to support both DCE and MP to ensure signature policies of the government are implemented within the district to improve the living standards of the people sustainably.
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and other Identifiable Groups:
Civil Society Organisations and other Identifiable Groups, including opposition political parties, must provide alternative voices using empirical evidence to measure service delivery and demand accountability from them.
In conclusion, all stakeholders must become intentional about the development of Afadzato South and play their roles diligently to ensure sustained progress and growth.
Author:
Mr. Richard Kasu
Development Expert and Son of Afadzato South District.
[email protected]
