In a proactive measure aimed at enhancing service delivery and fostering social harmony in the North East Region of Ghana, three districts have been sensitized through a vital training initiative.
This program seeks to equip service providers with the necessary skills to deliver quality services that cater to the diverse needs of their communities.
Sampson Nsasil Kpanob, the UNFPA Focal Person for the North East Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), emphasized that the primary objective of the training is to curb local conflicts within the region.
He noted that when service providers effectively fulfill their responsibilities and deliver the right services, citizen satisfaction increases, which is crucial for mitigating tribal disputes and unrest.
The North East Region has witnessed various conflicts, often rooted in competition for resources and differing cultural practices among communities, making this initiative particularly timely.
The training incorporates a rights-based integrated approach to service delivery, emphasizing essential principles such as access, dignity, equality, inclusivity, and transparency.
It aims to empower service delivery institutions in the North East Region, fostering a greater sense of trust and collaboration between local government operators and the communities they serve. By enhancing the capacity of these institutions, the initiative intends to build stronger relationships between citizens and their local governments, ultimately promoting a culture of peace and cooperation.
Joyce Sandow, from the Public Health Directorate in the North East Region, highlighted the importance of including women in leadership roles within service delivery institutions.
She asserted that fostering women’s leadership benefits the entire community and stressed the need for more initiatives that promote gender equity in governance and service provision.
The training specifically targets service delivery institutions under the Local Government Service and other specialized agencies within the District Assembly framework.
Thirty-five participants are anticipated from various departments, including works, agriculture, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), Ghana Police Service, Judicial Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Health Service, Information Services Department, and the Departments of Feeder and Urban Roads.
As service providers gain a deeper understanding of the rights-based approach and its principles, it is expected that the improvements in service delivery will contribute to a significant reduction in local conflicts.
This initiative exemplifies a strategic step towards addressing the underlying issues that fuel disputes in the region, fostering a more harmonious social environment for all communities.
