Ms Lily Fati Soale, Director of the Social Accountability Unit (SAU) of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLRD) has charged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to design innovative strategies to increase citizens’ involvement and active participation in local governance.

District Assemblies should also exhibit professionalism and be ethical in the discharge of their duties in order to win the confidence and meet the high expectations of the people in their respective jurisdictions.

Speaking at the zonal dissemination workshop on the “Citizens’ Perception Survey” in Kumasi, Ms Soale said it was important for local assemblies to be transparent and open up more communication channels to ensure that the local people received adequate information on their activities.

The workshop was organized by SAU in collaboration with the Public Financial Management Network to highlight the outcomes of the research project conducted under the Local Government Capacity Building Support Project of the MLRD.

It was attended by MMDAs and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from the Brong Ahafo, Ashanti and Eastern Regions.

Ms Soale said the survey revealed that most people in communities solved communal problems on their own without seeking advice or information from the district assemblies.

This, according to the survey was due to the perception that the assemblies were not in any position to deal with the challenge or solve the problems for the people.

She said it was time the assemblies rediscovered themselves and identified the people as the real beneficiaries of their services.

The Citizen’s perception survey results and reports were being disseminated to motivate the assemblies to help improve on their services, she said.

Nana Adusei Atwenewah Ampem I, paramount chief of the Tepa traditional area commended SAU for taking the positive steps to improve relationships between assemblies and community members to enhance local governance in the country.