Ho, Oct. 23, GNA - The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) in collaboration with the Centre for Policy Analysis will hold a public forum in Ho on November 5th and 6th to elicit views on the performance of the 2003 budget, the HIPC initiative and poverty reduction.

A statement signed by Rev Father J. W. K degraft-Johnson, Director of Programmes of CCG, on Wednesday explained that while, it was important that the Church supported national development efforts, it was also critical that it demanded improved performance and services from government.

Objectives of the forum listed by the release included equipping and strengthening the capacity of the Churches to monitor government's performance, identify areas of collaborating and networking to scale up development efforts for the betterment of the masses. The forum would also sensitise and stimulate the Churches on the need to engage their members in discussions and processes of national and local development programmes that affect the livelihoods of the people.