The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Donatus Atanga Akamugri, has called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to restore public trust in state institutions, enforce fiscal discipline and improve the living conditions of the people through transparent and accountable governance.
He said strengthening public institutions and ensuring that government delivered tangible results were critical to restoring public confidence and advancing the development agenda.
Mr Akamugri made the call at a People’s Forum in the Nabdam District on Monday, October 12, 2026, to account for the government’s stewardship and listen to the concerns of residents.
He said the forum reflected a fundamental principle of democratic governance: that government must remain accountable to the people whose mandate it holds and in whose interest it exercises public authority.The Regional Minister noted that holding public office was a position of trust that required duty-bearers to account for their stewardship, explain how public resources were utilised, listen to citizens and respond to their concerns.
He said the initiative aligned with President John Dramani Mahama’s Resetting Ghana agenda, which placed accountability, transparency and responsive governance at the centre of public administration.“Accounting to the people is not merely about making presentations; it is about accountability, listening and results,” he said.
Mr Akamugri urged the assemblies to provide clear information on completed projects, ongoing initiatives and outstanding commitments, including the resources allocated, results achieved and challenges encountered.He stressed that accountability must go beyond reporting activities and expenditure to demonstrate the actual benefits of public investment.
“A classroom block matters because children need a safe environment in which to learn. A road matters because it improves connectivity and economic activities, while a health facility matters because it provides access to quality healthcare,” he said.
He said the focus must be on converting public resources into tangible benefits for citizens.Where projects had been delayed, he urged the assemblies to explain the reasons, identify those responsible for taking action and establish realistic timelines for completion.
He also called on the MMDCEs to prioritise the completion of projects already started and ensure value for money in the use of public funds.Mr Akamugri said the assemblies should be guided by four key questions: What was promised? What had been delivered? What remained outstanding? And why had those commitments not been fulfilled?“These are the questions that I want answered here at this forum,” he said, urging duty-bearers to account for the government’s performance during its first year and a half in office.
The Regional Minister further emphasised that accountability required active listening and a commitment to addressing citizens’ concerns.
He said complaints and concerns relating to roads, schools, healthcare, water, sanitation and livelihoods must be documented, assigned to the appropriate authorities and followed up to ensure action.Where issues fell within the mandate of the assemblies, he said, the assemblies must take ownership and work towards resolving them.For matters requiring regional or national intervention, he assured residents that the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council would facilitate the necessary follow-up.“True accountability is not about making promises we cannot keep. It is about being honest about what we can deliver, taking responsibility for what we could not deliver and setting clear timelines for what remains to be done,” he said.Security and social cohesion.
On security and social cohesion, Mr Akamugri said sustainable development could not be achieved without peace and security.
He said the region’s relative calm was encouraging and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting reconciliation, peaceful coexistence and social cohesion.He commended the security agencies and other stakeholders for their efforts in maintaining peace and security in the region, including reported reductions in armed robbery and motorcycle snatching.
He urged all stakeholders to sustain their efforts to safeguard the gains made and create an enabling environment for development.
Source:mywordfmonline.com/Gaspard Adongo Ayuureneeya