GJA wins grant for local governance activities

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is among 24 organizations in Ghana that have been awarded grants totaling 6 Million Ghana Cedis, by the Strengthening Transparency Accountability and Responsiveness, STAR-Ghana, to undertake development and impact projects locally and at the national level. 

Grant recipients are expected to create spaces and link actors and at the end of the day lead the process of providing accountability and ensure sustainable development in Ghana. 

Projects will be undertaken of various levels of local governance and Parliament.

At a grants signing ceremony in Accra, Programme Director of STAR-Ghana, Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu said it hopes to mobilize significant masses to influence government's actions at the levels with the hope of improving social good. 

Tanko Amidu posited that STAR-Ghana will provide technical support to its strategic partners over the next two to three months to develop in detail and implement their proposals. 

Mr. Amidu reminded grantees that they "owe it a responsibility to themselves, citizens and grantors", to ensure that the work is done well. 

As a grantee beneficiary, GJA President Affail Monney spoke of the role of the media in educating the people through providing information, adding that the "GJA will ensure that the funds are used judiciously for the benefit of citizens."

Representing the Funders, Nic Lee said these particular grantees include support to new operations and said it is important to sustain the gains as Ghana moves beyond aid. 

Speaking on the "Emerging issues in de-centralization and local governance", Steering Committee Chair, Dr Esther Ofei-Aboagye explained that democratic governance is good for accountable governance and gender equality and social inclusion is at the heart of everything STAR-Ghana does. 

That is why it is supporting partners such as the media to look at the critical setbacks to citizens’ participation in local governance to deepen political de-centralization. 

Strengthening Transparency, Accountability and Responsiveness, STAR-Ghana has a vision to see an active and engaged civil society capable of articulating citizens’ demands and an effective state that is responsive and accountable to its citizens. 

It receives support from DANIDA, European Union and DFID.

STORY BY: REBECCA EKPE

GBCONLINE
---DECRYPTED---