Busua (WR), July 6, GNA - A two-day workshop for Queen mothers and selected Assembly women on Local Governance and Decentralization has opened, with a call on them to actively participate in the administration of their localities.

The workshop on the Topic, 93Understanding the Basics of Local Governance and Decentralization", would sharpen the skills of the female leaders to mobilize women in their communities to engage effectively in local governance.

The workshop is being organized and funded by Local Governance and Decentralization Programme (LOGODEP), under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Ms Eva Osei, Citizen Participation Expert and a facilitator at the workshop, told the Ghana News Agency that, LOGODEP sought to improve the existing service delivery systems at the Metropolitan, Municipal and the Districts Assembly levels through training and technical assistance.

She said LOGODEP would also ensure that more citizens, particularly women, were involved in the decision-making process at the community, sub-district and district levels.

LOGODEP, is a three-year programme funded by the American people in the Western Region to advance the USAID and Ghana's strategic objective five, which is 93Strengthening Democratic and Decentralization Governance through Civil Involvement".

Ms Osei noted that all the 17 districts in the region are covered under the programme, which would expand public participation in local governance, support targeted districts to increase their internally generated funds and provide a comprehensive development plan for the districts.

She said participants understanding of local governance would deepen their operational systems at the local level.

Nana Kofi Abuna V, chief of Essipon, in the Shama district said, the training has become necessary in order to strengthen the capacity of female leaders at the local levels.

She said development at the local levels hinges on the active participation of women, who were the core in nation building.

Nana Abuna V added that, the training would enable them to also form a stronger force in articulating issues that affected women at the local levels as well as building partnerships with female assembly women.