BRINGING GOVERNANCE TO THE PEOPLE

Page 7: Daily Graphic, April 18, 2012. ALL over the world, debate is often rife on the achievements of governments. In Ghana, some people have often doubted the projects the government claims to have embarked upon or the achievements it lays claims to. We believe it is to clear all doubts on what it has done or achieved that the government launched the Ghana Policy Fair three years ago. At the forum, the government, through the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and the various metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, showcase both ongoing and completed projects. The fair also provides an avenue for discussions on various policy issues in specific sectors of the economy and affords participants the opportunity to explain and deliberate on how far Ghana has come with regard to the provision of the necessary infrastructure in support of the economic take-off, especially with specific reference to the educational, roads, health and transportation sectors. The Daily Graphic thinks that this is an initiative that Ghanaians should embrace and make maximum use of, for the Bible admonishes that for want of knowledge, the people perish. We believe that if we avail ourselves of such an opportunity, it will clear some of the doubts that we have in our minds over claims that some public officials make regarding projects. We also think that availing ourselves of such events can help us verify issues on the ground. We see the policy fair as a way of promoting transparency, accountability and good governance in our body politic. Many a time, people make unsubstantiated and unfounded claims with the view to discrediting governments or public officials. We think this is an opportunity to keep the populace informed and empowered to make concrete decisions and raise concerns over the issues bothering them. The fair should address the knowledge gap in our body politic, so that development issues can be dispassionately discussed, devoid of partisanship. We, however, believe the various regional co-ordinating councils can replicate this excellent initiative in their localities to enable many people on the ground to appreciate the work of the government. Often, many of us are not even aware of projects and programmes undertaken by our governments and institutions and so bringing such events closer to those people will help a great deal. The Daily Graphic further believes that pursuing such events at the local level will afford the people in the localities the opportunity to question the officials on the authenticity of any claims. This is because not all of them can come to Accra to be part of the week-long fair.