Policy Objective
To promote local level democracy and popular participation through the active engagement of citizens and non-state actors in decision making.

Policy measures
a) Improve collaboration and cooperation between state and non-state actors (Traditional Authorities, CSOs, Media, etc.)

The National Framework for Popular Participation and the Practitioners’ Manual will be reviewed to clarify the scope of interaction between MDAs, RCCs, DAs and relevant non[1]state actors such as traditional authorities, CSOs, faith-based organisations (FBOs), media, Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), and private sector operators. Accountability fora will be instituted for dialogue on relevant issues. Capacity building interventions for Client Service Units will be undertaken and the membership of the Public Relations and Complaints Committees (PRCC) will be reviewed in the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) for efficiency. DA will be encouraged to collaborate with relevant
agencies to use ICT-based approaches to facilitate citizens’ participation in governance.

b) Strengthen Social Accountability Relevant units and departments at the DA level will ensure that activities in DMTDPs are socially acceptable, economically viable and responsive, and environmentally sustainable. This will require improving the capacities of Planning and Budget Units and the Finance Departments to inform citizens about DA’s revenue and expenditure regarding infrastructure projects, services and development interventions. This is aimed at ensuring greater participation of the citizenry in the operations of the DAs to contribute adequately to the development process. Thus, social audits would be institutionalised to increase the accountability of DAs to the local people, which will include the use of ICT for improved service delivery and local governance.

c) Promote inclusion of persons with disabilities, youth, and other marginalised groups in local governance The Persons with Disabilities framework for mainstreaming disability issues in the operational processes of DAs provides the blueprint for inclusion of some marginalised groups. Therefore, the strategy is to implement and create awareness on the framework and develop similar frameworks for women, youth and other marginalised groups. A desk for disability related matters will be established at the DA and RCC levels to enhance this process.

Table 1 presents a summary of the Policy Thrusts, their corresponding objectives and expected outcomes.