Action plan – Anloga District, Ghana, 2023 – 2024

At-a-Glance

Duration

Dec 2024

Date Submitted

21st April 2023

Foreword(s)

Anloga District is one of the 18 Administrative districts of the Volta Region of Ghana with the capital located at Anloga. The district was established by the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2372 of 2018 and inaugurated on the 19th of February, 2019. The district derives its mandate and functions from the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), section 12 subsection (1) to (9) as the highest political and administrative authority within the district responsible for the formulation and execution of plans, programs and strategies for the effective mobilization of the resources necessary for the overall development of the district.

Recognizing the strategic objective of the Open Government PartnershipThe Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a multi-stakeholder initiative focused on improving government transparency, ensuring opportunities for citizen participation in public matters, and strengthen... More program which is based on the idea that governments should be more transparent, inclusive, participatory, and accountable to citizens, the Anloga District Assembly is among two Assemblies in the Volta Region of Ghana to join the OGP platform in 2022. As a Local government institution, we are committed to ensuring good governance through transparencyAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, transparency occurs when “government-held information (including on activities and decisions) is open, comprehensive, timely, freely available to the pub... More, effective citizen participationAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, citizen participation occurs when “governments seek to mobilize citizens to engage in public debate, provide input, and make contributions that lead to m... More, and accountability in our service delivery.

As a requirement under the OGP arrangement, participating organizations must develop and carry out bi-annual action plans with the public and track commitments made in the plan. This OGP Plan represents the blueprint of the Anloga District spanning the period 2023 to 2024. The document was prepared through a participatory process involving all relevant stakeholders in government, civil society, the private sectorGovernments are working to open private sector practices as well — including through beneficial ownership transparency, open contracting, and regulating environmental standards. Technical specificat... More, traditional authorities, vulnerable groups, and religious groups among others. The Assembly together with the lead Civil Society Organisation (Friends of the Nation) would ensure the effective implementation of the Open Government commitments to promote transparency and accountability in the district.

Open Government Challenges, Opportunities and Strategic Vision

This subsection details the Open Government Strategic Vision in your local area that should guide the commitments for the action plan period.

What is the long-term vision for open government in your context and jurisdiction?

The 2030 Agenda (SDGs) acknowledges that promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all, is among the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. To escape from poverty, the poor need productive jobs that lead to higher income. The Anloga District Assembly envisions empowering citizens, especially women and the vulnerable group through continuous civic engagement and vocational support to help boost economic growth and promote open government principles. Following the widespread conviction that poverty can only be reduced if people have decent and productive jobs, the first Sustainable Development Goal aims to “End poverty in all its forms everywhere”.

What are the achievements in open government to date (for example, recent open government reforms)?

The Assembly had instituted participatory measures aimed at creating an enabling environment for citizens to fully and effectively participate in all activities. These include Community Fora, Town Hall Meetings, Participatory Planning and Budgeting, and Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation among others. The Assembly had created a website, Facebook, and other social media platforms for sharing relevant information, particularly on projects and programs being executed. Other interventions include;

• Currently implementing a comprehensive Medium Term Development Plan (2022 – 2025) based on the needs/aspirations of all communities within the district co-created through community engagement and public hearings.
• Established Gender-Desk in the Assembly, with a dedicated hotline (+233(0)597399959) to handle all GenderOGP participating governments are bringing gender perspectives to popular policy areas, ensuring diversity in participatory processes, and specifically targeting gender gaps in policies to address gov... More issues and ensure gender is effectively mainstreamed in all activities, particularly the plans and budgets.
• A dedicated Client Service Unit has been established in the Assembly to receive and direct all clients who come to transact business/seek information in the Assembly.
• The District Chief Executive has a schedule of visits to selected communities within the district to listen to and address pertinent issues confronting them.
• The Assembly has developed a website (www.anda.gov.gh) that regularly updates its citizens with information about the Assembly on all government actions thus projects, programs, policies, and activities.

What are the current challenges/areas for improvement in open government that the jurisdiction wishes to tackle?

In spite of the various enactments, regulations, and policies and the pursuance of activities on deepening local governance at the subnational level, increasing citizens’ benefits, and promoting the participation of the vulnerable and marginalized in the governance process, much is yet to be achieved. The Assembly is still challenged and unable to reach the majority of its citizens and get them actively involved in its activities as required by the laws and policies due to resource constraints, capacity issues, and poor networks. As a result, our people are seeking greater openness in the governance process, enhanced participation in the Assembly’s activities, and calling for means of greater transparency, responsiveness, accountability, and effectiveness in the functioning of the Assembly. There is, therefore, the need for a vibrant civic space and a well-informed citizen base that is active enough to contribute meaningfully to the development and governance process, which OGP program presents.

What are the medium-term open government goals that the government wants to achieve?

The Medium-term open government goal that the Anloga District Assembly, Ghana, wants to achieve is to promote local democracy, participation, and accountability through strong and viable stakeholder involvement in decision-making. The specific objectives to achieve the above goal are to;

• Promote transparency and accountability through increased access to information.
• Promote ownership of the development activities and programs.
• Promote popular support for the development agenda.
• Promote responsibility among citizens.
• Build a strong active citizenship that facilitates good governance and ensures maximum security.
• Strengthen the local governance system by enhancing citizens’ participation, especially women and Persons with Disabilities in decision-making, electoral democracy, and leadership.
• Promote proactive, participatory, and gender-based planning, budgeting, and implementation of development projects and programs.
• Build a vibrant Civil Society network and create congenial civic space for effective collaboration and participation in the governance process.

Successful implementation of the LAP 1 commitments will be guaranteed through the mobilization of significant resources and cooperation. Our networking mechanism will be broadened to engage and attract external support, membership, and resources to assure the successful implementation of the LAP 1 commitments and subsequent actualization of the aforementioned goals.

How does this action plan contribute to achieve the Open Government Strategic Vision?

This action plan clearly specifies strategies to be implemented toward the achievement of Open governance in the Anloga District. Effective public participationGiving citizens opportunities to provide input into government decision-making leads to more effective governance, improved public service delivery, and more equitable outcomes. Technical specificatio... allows the values of the public to be identified and incorporated into decisions that ultimately affect them. The District’s OGP strategic vision is to promote local democracy, participation, and accountability through strong and viable stakeholder involvement in decision-making.

Specifically, the commitments spelled out in this OGP plan are intended to elicit citizens’ participation in local governance, improve access and quality of service delivery, and enhance the principle of transparency and accountability. The plan provides avenues for constructive engagements between the government and the governed. By engaging Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Traditional Authorities, Citizens, etc. in the development process in the district, these actors are more likely to appreciate the developmental challenges confronting the district and are therefore more inclined to empathize with the district.

How does the open government strategic vision contribute to the accomplishment of the current administration’s overall policy goals?

The citizens in the district through the implementation of OGP program stand to be well informed about the activities of the Assembly and empowered to hold authorities to strict accountability. Women who are usually under-represented in the decision-making process through the OGP will have fair representation in the decision-making process across all levels.

OGP will afford the Assembly to be more open, transparent, and accountable in the discharge of its mandate for improved service delivery. This plan intends to create an atmosphere of mutual ownership of actions and strengthens efforts aimed at building trust and confidence in government through citizen engagement and active participation.

The Open Government strategic vision on good governance and transparency will help to ensure accountability at the sub-nationalRecognizing that much of what impacts people’s daily lives occurs at the local level, many OGP countries are working to open up lower levels of government by creating commitments focused on subnatio... level in the utilization of public resources to create opportunities and build a prosperous society. Civic participation and inclusionOGP participating governments are working to create governments that truly serve all people. Commitments in this area may address persons with disabilities, women and girls, lesbian, gay, bisexual, tr... More in the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of projects and programs will help to ensure a resilient built environment, safeguard the natural environment and maintain a stable, united, and safe society for economic growth.

Engagement and Coordination in the Open Government Strategic Vision and OGP Action Plan

Please list the lead institutions responsible for the implementation of this OGP action plan.

• Office of the District Coordinating Director of the Anloga District Assembly
• Development Planning Unit of the Anloga District Assembly
• Budget Unit of the Anloga District Assembly
• District Social Welfare and Community Development Department of the Anloga District Assembly
• District Environmental Health and Sanitation Unit of the Anloga District Assembly
• Information Service Department of the Anloga District Assembly
• National Commission for Civic Education of the Anloga District Assembly
• Keta Office of the Friends of the Nation (FoN)

What kind of institutional arrangements are in place to coordinate between government agencies and departments to implement the OGP action plan?

The District Planning Coordinating Unit (DPCU) led by the OGP Point of Contact responsible for the Local OGP shall be the coordinating and facilitating agency for the purpose of implementing this OGP Local Action Plan. The commitments will be implemented by appropriate Departments and Units led by their heads whose operations reflect the commitments.

In addition, Civil Society Organizations, Private Sector Associations, the Media, and other Local and International Organizations, Departments, and agencies whose activities are related to specific commitments will collaborate with the lead Department and Units to implement the commitments. All the lead Departments and Units and their collaborating/supporting CSOs shall report to the Coordinating office (Development Planning Unit) led by the OGP Point of Contact. The OGP Point of contact will collate all reports on implementation and submit them to the Multi-Stakeholder ForumRegular dialogue between government and civil society is a core element of OGP participation. It builds trust, promotes joint problem-solving, and empowers civil society to influence the design, imple... (MSF) meetings for deliberations. The MSF will provide technical feedback and assist in mobilizing additional resources to support the implementation of the Plan

What kind of spaces have you used or created to enable the collaboration between government and civil society in the co-creation and implementation of this action plan? Mention both offline and online spaces.

Working Team: A team of 11 members from government, civil society, traditional authorities, and a representative of vulnerable groups was constituted to develop this LAP. The team developed the vision, mission, and goal for the OGP Local Action Plan, identified stakeholders, developed a community engagement strategy, and prepared a work plan.

Thereafter, a Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) meeting was organized to make inputs into the plan and also to ensure that essential technical expertise, logistics, and finances are available to implement the specific commitments in the action plan. Representation at the multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) consists of 30 members representatives: 15 from the government; 10 from CSO, media, and vulnerable groups (women, youthRecognizing that investing in youth means investing in a better future, OGP participating governments are creating meaningful opportunities for youth to participate in government processes. Technical ... More, people living with disability, etc.), and 5 from the private sector. The MSF will continue to provide oversight responsibility during the implementation of this LAP.

A WhatsApp platform has been created to share information and updates during the co-creation processCollaboration between government, civil society and other stakeholders (e.g., citizens, academics, private sector) is at the heart of the OGP process. Participating governments must ensure that a dive... and will serve as one of the mediums of information sharing during the implementation stage. The Assembly has a website for sharing information with the general public. Though this platform was not used during the co-creation process, it will serve as another medium for sharing information on the implementation of the plan.

What measures did you take to ensure diversity of representation (including vulnerable or marginalized populations) in these spaces?

The Working Team conducted a stakeholder mapping to identify all the various stakeholders including marginalized groups such as people with disabilitiesA government is not open unless it is accessible to all, and governments are working to ensure people with disabilities are afforded equitable services and opportunities to participate. Technical spec..., women groups, youth groups, aged, and religious groups among others. The various stakeholders were invited to participate in community engagement meetings. The Multi-Stakeholder Forum consists of 30 members representatives: 15 from government; 10 from CSO, media, and vulnerable groups (women, youth, people living with disability etc.), and 5 from the private sector. The mission/mandate of the MSF is to put into practice OGP’s principle of co-creation between government and civil society. The MSF oversees the OGP process to ensure it is open and inclusive of all stakeholders. Gender representation was key in the selection of participants during the co-creation process

Who participated in these spaces?

The various stakeholders’ groups who participated in the co-creation process are as follows;

• Government officials/technocrats
• Assembly members
• Traditional Authorities-
• Non-governmental organization (Friends of the Nation)
• Media
• Private Sector
• Market Women Association
• Persons with Disability Association
• Youth Groups
• Women Groups

How many groups participated in these spaces?

10

How many public-facing meetings were held in the co-creation process?

4

How will government and non-governmental stakeholders continue to collaborate through the implementation of the action plan?

The Working Team led by the OGP Point of Contact, and the Multi Stakeholder Forum will be responsible for tracking progress and providing support to each commitmentOGP commitments are promises for reform co-created by governments and civil society and submitted as part of an action plan. Commitments typically include a description of the problem, concrete action.... The working team and the MSF will develop indicators for tracking progress. The Working Team will also help address any challenges experienced during the implementation of the LAP I. The MSF will provide leadership in the form of coordination and facilitation to give effect to the translation of the Action Plan into concrete actions and meet quarterly.

The District Assembly and its collaborating institutions such as Friends of the Nation and other CSOs will explore other sources of funding for the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the plan.

Please describe the independent Monitoring Body you have identified for this plan.

The MSF has identified one external institution to conduct the independent Monitoring of the Action Plan 2023-2024. The Regional Planning Coordinating Unit (RPCU) – A well-experienced RPCU in monitoring and evaluation and project implementation will be the external body to conduct an independent evaluation of the implementation of the 2023-2024 OGP LAP1. RPCU will conduct an independent assessment and evaluation of the co-creation process, the implementation of the OGP LAP I, and the results achieved from the implementation of the commitments under the guidance of the OGP Local and the IRM.

Provide the contact details for the independent monitoring body.

• Mr. Isaac Adzah Tettey, Regional Economic Planning Officer, isaactee@yahoo.co.in

What types of activities will you have in place to discuss progress on commitments with stakeholders?

The following activities have been earmarked to discuss progress on the commitments with stakeholders.

• Quarterly MSF review meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and way forward.
• Quarterly District Planning and Coordinating Unit (DPCU) meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and way forward
• Media engagement
• Community engagement/Town Hall meetings

How will you regularly check in on progress with implementing agencies?

The Action Plan Coordinating Unit (DPCU) led by the OGP Point of Contact will organize monthly visits to lead Departments and Units to check on progress. The Working Team will hold quarterly follow-ups with the implementing agencies through face-to-face meetings to discuss the progress of implementation.  There will be quarterly review meetings with the implementing agencies to discuss the progress of implementation.

How will you share the results of your monitoring efforts with the public?

The result of the monitoring efforts will be shared first with the MSF at their quarterly meetings. It will also be shared at the Assembly’s District Planning Coordinating Unit (DPCU) quarterly meetings. There would also be media engagement on the results. The OGP point of contact, technical working team, and independent monitoring body will be the panel. The results will also be shared on the OGP webpage on the Assembly’s website.

Endorsement from Non-Governmental Stakeholders

• Emmanuel K. Kankam, Planning Officer, Friends of the Nation
• Emmanuel Yawson, Technical Officer, Friends of the Nation
• Randolph Kwesi Benyi Johnson, Community Development Officer, Friends of the Nation

Other resources:

• Cover letter
• OGP Strategies Anloga, Ghana