A leading member of the Concerned Citizens of Atiwaa Landscape, Mr. Poul Asumaku, has called on government regulatory agencies responsible for Ghana’s natural resources to decentralized their operations to the district level to make their services more accessible to communities.
Speaking on Bryt Adekyee mu Nsem, Mr. Asumaku said communities continue to face challenges accessing officials of institutions such as the Mineral Commission, Water Resources Commission and Forestry Commission because many of their offices are concentrated at higher administrative levels.
According to him, during engagements with communities, one of the major questions frequently raised by residents is why some of these government agencies cannot establish offices at the district level.
He explained that decentralizing the institutions would enable community members to easily reach officials, report concerns and seek clarification on issues affecting their environment and natural resources without travelling long distances.
Mr. Asumaku commended the Eastern Regional Engineer, Madam Regina Abey, for her commitment to community programmes and engagements.
He noted that about six months ago, the authorities organized a major programme known as the Nature Park programme, which Madam Abey played an important role in.
He said the group has engaged about eight communities and that Madam Abey has consistently participated in programmes and meetings involving relevant regional service personnel.
Mr. Asumaku believes the continuous presence of technical officers at community engagements is important because it allows residents to receive direct information from the institutions mandated to manage the country’s natural resources.
He therefore urged the government to strengthen decentralisation by ensuring that the Mineral Commission, Water Resources Commission and Forestry Commission have functional offices or representatives at the district level.
He said bringing these institutions closer to the people would improve communication, monitoring and enforcement while allowing communities to promptly report activities that threaten their environment.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Amuzu Priscilla
