Agona Swedru, Aug 13, GNA - The Agona District Assembly has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with two non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to monitor the tendering of contracts and the disbursement of HIPC funds for micro-finance projects. The two organisations would also participate in the allocation of the projects to communities to avoid discrimination. The NGOs are the Human Environmental and Provision Organisation (HEPO) and Send Foundation West Africa.

Mr Alex Esua Mensah, Director of HEPO, made this known at a workshop on Ghana Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Document II, at Agona Swedru, organised by the NGO and sponsored by Send Foundation for Assembly Members, Agriculture Officers, Health workers, Women groups, Christian and Muslim organisation and other groups. Mr Mensah said the objective of the workshop was to create awareness about opportunities under the strategy. He said the two NGOs would set up a committee to monitor the disbursement and use of the funds allocated to the Assembly to ensure =91'value for money''.

Send Foundation is implementing grassroots economic literacy and advocacy programmes in some districts including the Agona District while HEPO was facilitating and implementing and supervising grassroots projects to succeed.

Mr Isah Mohammed, Advocacy Project Officer of Send Foundation, said the objective of the workshop was to help people to maximise the benefits and impact of the GPRS to inform others. The Project Officer said it would also afford opportunity for the people to demand accountability and transparency.

Mr Eric B Oppong, Agona District Coordinating Director, assured the participants that the Assembly would continue to operate an open door policy for the people to benefit from the funds.