CDD-OSIWA was a project that was undertaken by Resource Link Foundation from 2019 to 2020.

The decentralization reforms in Ghana have not addressed many of the basic challenges associated with governance and service provision at the local level. Corruption, rent-seeking, and low monitoring efforts have characterized the development planning and implementation of some local government initiatives under Ghana’s decentralized governance systems. This is coupled with the low understanding of the Popular Citizen participation policies, Social Accountability demands, Local Government Act 936 (Act 2016) and the poor acceptance and localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local Community and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) level. Most of the Assemblies do not have adequate technical capacities; this impedes good governance of large capital budgets, even as the Public Procurement Act and the Public Financial Management processes and procedure are clearly documented. The results of these factors compound the existing issue of decentralized politics by local elites and interest groups, which distorts democratic processes, and complicate lines of accountability. In the absence of accountability, local elected officials and technocrats face weak incentives to address the needs of broad-based groups of citizens, especially Women, Children and Persons living with Disabilities (PWD).

Recognizing the inclusive advocacy and enhancing the capacity of the marginalized, it is crucial to ensure that people effectively and genuinely participate in the decision-making processes for good governance and improved quality of public service delivery.

Resource Link Foundation’s Social Accountability (RLF-SA) Project seek to increase efforts and use bottom-up participatory approaches towards increased accountability in MMDAs programming, improved Citizens monitoring of Public Financial Management and increased oversight on Community Development Projects execution.

Therefore, RLF-SA collaborate with Ahafo Ano South East work under the Ghana’s Strengthening Accountability – CDD Ghana/OSIWA project as the Leave No One Behind – Efficient Implementation of the Local Governance Act 936 (Act 2016).

The RLF-SA Project undertake social accountability strengthening activities, facilitate the development of Citizen Scorecards and periodic Citizen-led Social Audits, and convert the outcome into digestible public information for the benefit and understanding of District level Non-State Actors and Citizens. The Project  further convene and catalyse Citizens and Community based groups to disseminate the Community Scorecards developed, dialogue and engage with the MMDAs and Duty-bearers through Town hall and Interface meetings and media discussions to respond adequately to community development needs as mandated by the laws and status of Ghana and its decentralisation and local governance reforms.