CODESULT Network, in collaboration with the Sefwi Akontombra District Assembly of the Western North Region, is holding a training for Community Development Monitors (CDMs) in the district. A total of 75 CDMs, selected from 15 communities, are taking part in the training to build their capacity to monitor projects of the District Assembly in their communities. CODESULT Network is one of the civil society organizations that are implementing the #GSAM project in 50 districts of Ghana.
The training of CDMs is currently taking place across the 50 districts by the GSAM Consortium (CARE International in Ghana, OXFAM in Ghana and ISODEC) in collaboration with 25 other civil society organisations and with funding from the USAID.
A total of 3,750 citizens selected from 750 communities are being trained to serve as CDMs in their communities.
CDMs are community members who are trained to lead other members to monitor and assess projects (i.e. classroom blocks, clinics, toilets, boreholes, market stalls, etc.) that are being constructed or have been earmarked for construction in their communities by their respective District Assemblies. This is to ensure quality projects, get citizens’ needs addressed and reduce the possibility of corruption.
The training will, among other things, enhance their knowledge in District Assemblies’ planning processes, the legal framework for citizen participation in local governance and the processes for monitoring projects and engaging with their assemblies to get their concerns addressed.