Bolgatanga East Residents Demand Accountability as Regional Minister, DCE Defend Development Record
The Bolgatanga East District Assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability, engaging residents on government policies, development projects and the management of public resources under the government’s Accounting to the People initiative.
The engagement, held at the Assembly Hall on Sunday, October 25, 2026, brought together Upper East Regional Minister Donatus Atanga Akamugre, District Chief Executive (DCE) Jacob Abugre Aka Eri, traditional leaders, Assembly Members, Assembly staff and the youth to discuss development priorities and assess government interventions in the district.
The forum provided an opportunity for public officials to account for their stewardship, explain ongoing development initiatives and respond to concerns raised by residents.
Addressing participants, the DCE, Jacob Abugre Aka Eri, described the initiative as a critical pillar of good governance, emphasising that public officials must remain answerable to the people whose interests they are elected or appointed to serve.
“As we gather to do something that lies at the heart of good governance, we are here to account to the people we serve,” he stated.
Mr Aka Eri stressed that accountability must go beyond formal engagements to include the prudent use of public funds, effective implementation of development projects and policies that address the needs of local communities.
He noted that government decisions and public expenditure must translate into tangible benefits for citizens, particularly farmers, traders, teachers, young people seeking employment and the elderly who depend on public services.
According to him, the Assembly remained committed to creating opportunities for residents to access information, engage duty bearers and express concerns about development in their communities.
He commended participants for attending the programme, noting that citizens’ involvement was essential to promoting inclusive development and strengthening public confidence in local governance.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Atanga Akamugre, also underscored the importance of responsible leadership and effective resource management in rebuilding public confidence in government institutions.
He recalled that the government sought the mandate of Ghanaians on a commitment to reset the country, restore confidence in public institutions and rebuild trust between the government and the people.
Mr Atanga Akamugre said fulfilling that commitment required public officials to demonstrate integrity, manage public resources responsibly and deliver measurable development outcomes.
“We, the duty bearers, must work hard to earn that trust through integrity, responsible management of public resources and tangible results,” he said.
He further emphasised the need to ensure value for money in public expenditure, urging public institutions to make every investment count by delivering meaningful improvements in the lives of citizens.
The Regional Minister also highlighted key development challenges confronting communities in the district, including poor road infrastructure, unemployment, sanitation, healthcare and access to potable water.
He explained that addressing these concerns required sustained attention to the priorities of local communities and the effective implementation of government interventions.
The engagement also featured a question-and-answer session, allowing residents to seek clarification on government activities and raise concerns directly with the Regional Minister, the DCE and other officials.
The interaction reinforced the importance of dialogue between citizens and public officeholders in identifying development needs, promoting transparency and ensuring that public resources are directed towards addressing the concerns of communities.
Traditional leaders, Assembly Members and the youth were among those who participated in the accountability forum, which formed part of efforts to strengthen citizen engagement and promote responsible governance at the district level.
Source: Felix Nyaaba/expressnewsghana com
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