Promoting Local Development : Building Trust Via Citizen’s Involvement

Participants of the two-day Commonwealth Local Government Forum for West and Central Africa who met to discuss the role of local government as a driver for economic resilience in a post Covid-19 era have come up with twelve resolutions to be implemented by member States for sustainable and equitable development in the region. The recommendations read by the First Vice National President of UCCC, Mayor Anthony Dighambong Mvo at the close of deliberations yesterday July 26, 2023 stressed the importance of actions in strengthening local government finance, prioritising social inclusion, local economic development, enhancing local democracy and climate action at the local level. Going by the recommendations, local regional governments must build trust through meaningful engagement of citizens, increased transparency and accountability and effective monitoring and evaluation.  "Local regional governments should prioritise demand driven local economic development which supports local livelihoods, green jobs and provides for value added industries making use of local resources. Women, young people and persons with disabilities should be empowered to realise their potential. LRGs should take an active role in promoting closer regional integration," reads in part the meeting's resolutions. Digitalising and modernising operations and services to improve efficiency and accountability, leading role in adaptation and mitigation actions, being part of national climate action plan and planning process and the monitoring and evaluation of their implementation and increasing awareness, advocacy and resource mobilisation to strengthen local democratic process are other recommendations to governments and local authorities. 
In his...