Local Gov’t Ministry embarks on open initiative

The Ministry of Local and Rural Development is embarking on an open government initiative to meet its mandate to facilitate good local governance and grass roots democracy.

Mr Akwasi Oppong-Fosu, the sector minister said the initiative is to engage the citizens on policy and service delivery to enhance the process of governance.

Mr Oppong-Fosu made this known at the launch of the Project, Programme and Procurement Implementation (3PI) Management Information System in Accra on Tuesday.

The 3PI also known as the Government Contract Portal is a web-based designed to increase transparency and a major plank in the Ministry’s effort to achieve its mandate.

It is an initiative and efforts by President John Dramani Mahama to bring transparency and accountability to the planning, procurement contracting, monitoring and implementation process of public projects and programmes.

Mr Oppong-Fosu said the portal would give citizens the rights and opportunity to know and influence decisions that affect.

Mr Oppong-Fosu who is the Member of Parliament for Amenfi East in the Western Region said the efforts are aimed at providing information to the public before the freedom of information bill is implemented.

This, he, said is to ensure transparency in the procurement, award and implementation of public projects and programmes in efforts to fight corruption.

“Citizens want transparency and accountability, and expect their Governments to involve them in decision making.”

He said the Ministry of Local Government is committed in using Information Communication Technology to establish an open governance environment that empowers citizens to participate in making decisions about issues that are of interest to them and provide them a convenient means to access public service.

“The portal is a practical manifestation of this understanding.”

Mr Oppong-Fosu said the portal will also provide the means for local government institutions to collaborate with stakeholders, and interface with the public.

It will track relevant events and activities undertaken during the budgeting, procurement, contracting and implementation of programmes and projects store electronically and provide a repository of all data, reports agreements and other documents generated for easy access.

It will also make compliance with the procurement process and relevant regulations and laws of Ghana, especially the Public Procurement Act (Act 663), timely and efficient management of programmes and projects, prompt access to relevant data, information and documents and improve transparency in the procurement, contracting and implementation process.

Source: GNA