CHEREPONI MP INTRODUCES ACCOUNTABILITY DURBAR (PAGE 12, JAN 11, 2011)

IN a bid to encourage accountability on the part of office holders in his area, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Chereponi, Mr Samuel Abdulai Jabanyite, has introduced a unique concept which allows the MP to give account of his stewardship.
Known as the MP’s durbar, the platform is used by the MP to give a yearly account of his performance and to allow the people the opportunity to pass their judgements over his performance.
Feedback from these durbars help the MP assess his own performance and adopt strategies to improve his style of governance.
The first of its kind took place in Chereponi and was patronised by a large number of the people, including chiefs, political leaders, departmental heads and security agencies.
Some of the dignitaries were the Minister of Communications and MP for Tamale South, Mr Haruna Iddrisu; MP for Yendi, Mr Baba Iddrisu; MP for Saboba, Mr Bukari Nikpe Joseph; the DCE for Chereponi, Alhaji Mohammed Issah Seidu Abah and the Chief of Chereponi, Feme Jaminja Malba Gomna.
Mr Jabanyite listed a number of initiatives that had been undertaken through his support and they stretched across all sectors such as health, education, agriculture, road infrastructure and institutional capacity building.
Some of the major interventions undertaken by the MP include the rehabilitation of 10 broken-down bore-holes in nine communities, the acquisition of eight motorcycles for institutions in the district, including the security services, and the presentation of a 15-seater Ford van and a 44 Nissan pick-ups to two health institutions in the district, through the support of donors.
He also facilitated the acquisition of 12 new tractors, two shellers and a planter, in addition to the provision of 6,250 subsidised bags of fertilisers, to support farming activities in the area.
The MP stressed that public office holders must often strive to be more accountable to their people by rendering accounts of their stewardship so as to enable the people to effectively evaluate their performances.
He noted that an accountable and responsive leadership was one of the significant ingredients for good governance.
The Chief of Chereponi, Fame Jaminja Malba Gomna, gave his approval of the MP’s performance and entreated him to continue to deliver so as to be in a better position to demand a re-election.
The Communications Minister hailed praises on Mr Jabanyite for endeavouring to render accounts of his stewardship, although not many politicians were accustomed to that culture.
He said the government was committed to transforming the lives of Ghanaians and thus entreated the MP to take opportunity of the government’s zeal to advance his development agenda.
Mr Iddrisu, who was later installed as the development chief – ‘Anufor Bukasu Feme’ – for Chereponi due to his support for the MP, expressed delight over the cordial relationship existing between the MP and the DCE.
“The President has repeatedly called for such cordiality so as to advance the ‘Better Ghana’ agenda. Any DCE who acts contrary would be given the sack,” he stated.
Mr Jabanyite was sworn into office on November 27, 2009, after he emerged the victor in the October 27, 2009, by-election in Chereponi. The by-election became necessary following the demise of the incumbent MP, Madam Doris Asibi Seidu.