The project which is expected to help develop an informed citizens in matters of development will build coalitions among the local citizens groups to enhance participation in decision making and monitoring of the budgeting and planning processes of district assemblies in Ghana.

It seeks to mobilise the citizens’ interest in the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) budgeting and planning programmes, and cultivate positive attitudes among citizens and the MMDAs in the design and implementation of their plans and budgets.

The project is being implemented in 20 selected districts across the country of which the Binduri District is one and receiving funding support from the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).

Mr Yakubu Ayinga Abagre, the District Chief Executive for Binduri who addressed the participants on Tuesday at the community town hall meeting organised by the CDD-Ghana to initiate the project in the district at Zawse in the Binduri District of the Upper East Region said the assembly was committed to partnering the CDD in serving the people.

Mr Abagre urged the participants to actively participate in the decision making process so as to enable them make their inputs to be captured into the district action plans for the needed action to be taken.

He called on the participants to avail their support to the district so that it would put in the necessary policies that would bring about the socio-economic development to the area.   Mr Haruna Pia Alhassan Development Planning Officer at the Binduri District Assembly disclosed that a total amount of GH¢2, 076, 67659 would be used to construct heath facilities such as; the Community based Health Planning Services (CHPS) Compound, Community Heath Post, and Clinics among others in areas such as; Bazua, Zioko, Yarigungu, Gumyoko, Polsiego,-Nayoko, Atuba and Binduri by the end of the year.

He noted that an amount of GH¢3,244,678.00, and GH¢1,340,000.00, would be used for the construction of classroom bocks, and Teacher’s Bungalows.The rest would include; the provision of boreholes, pipe borne water system in Tempeilin, Tinogo, Widnaaba, among others.

The participants on their part urged stakeholders including the duty bearers to always implement and complete projects so that the community would benefit.They lamented on a number development projects such as health and educational facilities, roads among others that had been left uncompleted and still new ones were being started, indicating that such actions would not help the development of the area.

The participants commended the organisation for enlightening them on their rights and giving them the opportunity to be part of the decision-making process and that the move would empower them to monitor the progress of projects in their communities and hold contractors accountable.