Inadequate and irregular water supply dominated discussions at a civic engagement forum organised by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in Tamale, as residents voiced frustration over the persistent water crisis in the metropolis.
Participants said the situation continued to affect households, schools, and health facilities despite government interventions, and called for urgent and coordinated action to address the challenges.
The residents identified three major factors undermining reliable water supply: difficulty in maintaining water systems in good working condition, limited coverage of services to meet increasing demand, and delays in responding to infrastructure breakdowns.
Abdulai Mohammed, a resident of Dohinaayili, called for stronger collaboration among the Metropolitan Assembly, the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), Assembly Members, and community water management structures.
“Coordinated efforts and improved communication among stakeholders will help ensure sustainable and timely solutions to the water challenges confronting residents,” he said.
The concerns were raised during a forum dubbed “Civic Engagements on the Rule of Law and the Fight Against Corruption,” organised under the Participation, Accountability, and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) Programme with support from the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and the European Union (EU).
The forum formed part of efforts to promote the rule of law, strengthen public accountability, and enhance citizens’ participation in local governance. It brought together duty-bearers, community leaders, women and youth groups, civil society organisations, persons with disabilities, and other stakeholders to deliberate on governance and service delivery issues in the municipality.
Mahama Abdul Fataw, Tamale Metropolitan Director of the NCCE, underscored the need for active citizen participation in governance, noting that accountability and respect for the rule of law were critical for effective service delivery and sustainable development.
“An informed citizenry remains a vital pillar of democratic governance,” he said, urging both citizens and duty-bearers to maintain open and respectful dialogue.
He encouraged participants to engage public officials constructively and to use lawful and non-partisan means to demand transparency in the utilisation of public resources.
Seidu Alhassan, Chief Investigator at the Northern Regional Office of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), delivered a presentation on public accountability mechanisms.
He educated participants on their constitutional right to information, lawful avenues for demanding accountability, and complaint and redress procedures available under the law.
“Citizens should make use of CHRAJ and other state institutions to seek redress against maladministration, abuse of office, and corruption,” he advised.
As part of efforts to strengthen community oversight and ensure follow-up on issues raised, a Social Auditing Committee was constituted at the forum. The Committee comprises representatives from the Inter-Party Dialogue Committee, Assembly Members, the Metropolitan Assembly, the CWSA, traditional authorities, and the NCCE.
The Committee is expected to facilitate follow-ups on agreed action plans, promote transparency, and track progress on service delivery commitments.
Participants expressed optimism that sustained dialogue and collective action would improve service delivery and strengthen trust between citizens and public institutions in the municipality.
GNA
