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The CoST Citizens’ Monitoring Teams (CMT) of the Shama and Mpohor Districts in the Western Region have presented their social audit findings and recommendations to stakeholders for appropriate action.
The teams’ efforts fall under the Social Accountability pillar of CoST – the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative, which aimed at assessing the compliance of government-funded projects with established standards, evaluate the quality of the work done, and determine the impact of the projects on beneficiaries.
The audits also sought to identify discrepancies or issues needing attention from the responsible public entities, and thereby contribute to the delivery of quality infrastructure that guaranteed value for money.
In their report, the Mpohor CoST District Citizens’ Monitoring Team shared findings and recommendations after monitoring two completed projects: a newly constructed Fire Service Station and a Kindergarten Block at Mpohor SDA Basic School.
The team noted that the Fire Service Station, though completed two years ago, had begun leaking though not occupied by Fire Service personnel.
Additionally, the Kindergarten Block, while completed, was being used as a storage room by another contractor, and portions intended for kindergarten students were being used to house junior high school students.
In the Shama District, the team focused on the Komfueku Health Centre.
Madam Perpetual Amoah Takyi, a programmes coordinator and civil society representative on the monitoring team, informed stakeholders that the health facility lacked adequate disability features, making it inaccessible to people with disabilities.
These findings left stakeholders in both districts disappointed.
They unanimously called on the respective district assemblies to take immediate action to address the identified issues.
At Mpohor, the Coordinating Director, Mrs. Kemmeh Daphne, stated that the concerns raised by the monitoring team were taken in good faith.
She added that the district assembly had secured funding to repair the frontage of the Fire Service Station and complete other remaining works to make the facility habitable.
In Shama, the District Development Planning Officer, Mr. Anthony Quaicoe who responded to most of the concerns, pledged to liaise with the District Chief Executive to address the numerous issues raised, particularly those concerning abandoned school projects, health facilities, and roads, with the aim of improving citizens’ lives.
Both Assemblies also took the opportunity to brief stakeholders on ongoing infrastructure projects within their jurisdictions.
Source: GNA
