News · Richard Boateng Opoku-Ofori

Parliamentary Committee engages Eastern Region shareholders to strengthen oversight of constitutional bodies

The Parliamentary Select Committee on Independent Constitutional Bodies has engaged stakeholders in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital, as part of efforts to strengthen Parliament’s oversight responsibilities over independent constitutional bodies.

The Committee met with Municipal and District Chief Executives in the region to gather suggestions, concerns and recommendations aimed at improving accountability, governance and service delivery.

Speaking during the engagement, the Chairman of the Committee and Member of Parliament for Tema East, Isaac Ashai Odamtten, said the exercise was intended to help Parliament better understand challenges at the local level.

“The engagement is aimed at gathering the views, concerns and recommendations of local authorities to help Parliament effectively carry out its oversight responsibilities,” he said.

Mr. Odamtten explained that the Committee would use the feedback received to improve its oversight work and contribute to discussions on issues relating to the District Assemblies Common Fund.

The Committee also met officials of the Eastern Regional Office of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, CHRAJ.

The Committee also met officials of the Eastern Regional Office of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, CHRAJ. The Eastern Regional Director of CHRAJ, Michael Nkansah, disclosed that the Commission has expanded its presence in the region from 13 to 21 districts since he assumed office.

He said the additional offices are being accommodated by various District Assemblies, helping the Commission to extend its services to more communities.

Mr. Nkansah, however, highlighted the challenges confronting the Commission. “Despite efforts to build the capacity of staff, budgetary constraints and inadequate resources continue to affect our operations, particularly investigations into corruption-related cases,” he said.

The Committee further visited the Eastern Regional Office of the Audit Service, where the Eastern Regional Auditor, William Badiako, outlined some of the institution’s operational challenges.

Mr. Badiako cited the posting of staff to the region without consultation with the regional office and the lack of adequate vehicles to support audit activities across the region.

Addressing the gathering, the Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei-Awatey, underscored the importance of strong institutions in promoting accountability and development.

“Strong institutions and effective oversight are essential to promoting accountability, transparency and development,” she stated.

She expressed confidence that the Committee’s engagement with stakeholders would help address some of the challenges confronting the various institutions.

The Parliamentary Select Committee on Independent Constitutional Bodies is responsible for overseeing institutions established under the Constitution to promote accountability, transparency and good governance, including CHRAJ and the Audit Service.

The Committee assured stakeholders that concerns raised during the engagement would be presented to Parliament for consideration as part of efforts to strengthen oversight and improve the effectiveness of independent constitutional bodies.