Agona Abodom (C/R), Feb 11, GNA - A three-day workshop on good governance has been held for Unit Committee and Area Council members and traditional rulers from Agona Abodom in the Agona District of the Central Region to improve the local government structure. It was organised by the Human Environmental and Provisional Organization (HEPO) and sponsored by the German Development Service (DED.

The participants were taken through topics including an overview of the District Assembly, the role of traditional authorities in local governance and project development steps in project planning. Mr Alexander Esua Mensah, Executive Director of HEPO, asked Unit Committee and Area Council members to initiate development projects before seeking assistance from the District Assembly and other sources. He urged them to assist in the development and improvement of the local government structure to make the District Assembly accountable. Mr Mensah said the training was aimed at helping the participants to appreciate local governance issues and functions and to initiate community projects professionally.

The Director asked them to see Unit Committees and Area Councils as part of the devolution process and accountability at the community and local levels.

He called on the participants to monitor spending on public and community development projects and to account for their stewardship. Mr Mensah advised them to identify and utilise local resources instead of relying solely on the District Assembly and the government. Madam Silk Grunow, Advisor on NGO Funds of the German Development Service (DED), urged them to take the training serious and to apply what was imparted to them for the benefit of their communities. She expressed the readiness of DED to sponsor such training to enable the people to understand local government as part of the efforts to reduce poverty. 11 Feb 07