Nkoranza (B/A), Nov. 25, GNA - Mr. Issah Abdulai-Nasagri, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has urged Ghanaians to get actively involved in the local governance system.

He said it was important to monitor the performance of Members of Parliament, Chief Executives, assembly members, unit committees as well as traditional rulers to ensure that they discharge their duties to the expectation of the people.

Mr. Abdulai-Nasagri said this at a forum on "Citizens participation in local governance" at Nkoranza.

The forum was jointly organised by the NCCE and the United Nation's Development Programme (UNDP) and was aimed at preparing the participants to get involved in the 2010 district assembly and unit committee elections. Mr. Abdulai-Nasagri said even though the government had a crucial role to play in providing an enabling environment for growth and poverty reduction, it was important that all and sundry joined hands and played their respective roles.

He expressed regret about the growing trend of tribalism in Ghanaian politics and cautioned that "if we allow this to continue it would adversely affect the pace of national development". Mr. Emmanuel Kojo Osei, Chairman of the Nkoranza South District Local Council of Churches, urged religious leaders to use the pulpit to educate women on the need to participate in the local governance system. 25 Nov 09