NCCE, CHRAJ Rally Citizens On Social Auditing In Obuasi
The Obuasi Municipal Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has organised a one-day stakeholder workshop on social auditing to promote transparency, accountability and active citizen participation in local governance.
The workshop was aimed at empowering residents to demand accountability from public officials while taking keen interest in government policies and community development initiatives. Officials explained that social auditing serves as a vital tool in ensuring that duty bearers are held responsible for their actions, especially in the management of public resources.
Speaking on the theme, “Strengthening the Rule of Law and the Fight Against Corruption in Ghana,” the Ashanti Sub-Regional Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Mr. Samuel Owusu Asante, underscored the importance of upholding the rule of law.
He noted that the rule of law differs from the rule of man, stressing that governance must be guided by established laws and not individual preferences. According to him, a well-informed citizenry is key to strengthening democracy and fighting corruption.
Mr. Asante further clarified that ignorance of the law does not excuse misconduct. Addressing common misconceptions, he explained that all offences are bailable under Ghanaian law and that citizens are not required to pay money before a suspect can be granted bail. He also advised that cases of conflict of interest should be formally reported to CHRAJ for investigation and appropriate action.
The Municipal Director of the NCCE, Mr. Lawrence Nyame, charged participants to transition from passive observers to active contributors in governance processes. He led discussions on critical development areas, including education, healthcare, local economic growth, employment, agriculture, infrastructure, public utilities, transparency in public projects, youth participation, and the welfare of women and children.
Mr. Nyame encouraged open dialogue, stressing that social auditing is not about confrontation but about constructive engagement to improve governance outcomes.
He highlighted the Commission’s outreach strategies, including community engagements, radio programmes, information centre activities, and visits to churches and mosques, assuring participants that these platforms would be intensified in the coming year.
Participants pledged to play more active roles in their communities and called for increased funding support for the NCCE to scale up civic education activities.
The programme was supported by GIZ, whose intervention continues to boost civic awareness and participatory governance at the local level.
