Communities in the Upper East Region must stop waiting for governments to dictate development priorities and instead define their own agenda from the grassroots, a former Presiding Member of the Bawku Municipal Assembly David Adoliba has urged.
Speaking on A1 Radio on the need for an inclusive development agenda for the Upper East Region, the former Dean of Assembly Members said development planning should be driven by communities rather than imposed from the top.
“We must stand against projects that do not reflect our developmental aspirations,” he said.
According to him, many communities often complain about poor infrastructure but fail to fully utilise existing local governance structures that allow citizens to shape development priorities.
He explained that district assembly meetings, budget hearings, traditional councils and Regional Coordinating Council engagements all provide opportunities for residents to influence government planning.
The former assembly leader said development should not be viewed as the sole responsibility of Members of Parliament.
Instead, he called for greater involvement of assembly members, chiefs, queen mothers, opinion leaders and civil society organisations.
“Our developmental needs must first be documented and agreed upon by the people before they are presented to government,” he noted.
He argued that when communities collectively articulate their priorities, political leaders are more likely to pursue them vigorously.
The former Presiding Member added that development succeeds when citizens move beyond complaints and actively participate in planning processes.
He described grassroots participation as the missing link in many stalled development initiatives across the region.
He therefore urged communities to take ownership of their development agenda by building consensus before demanding action from government.
Source: Bolgafmonline.com | 102.7 MHz | Bolgatanga
