Naab Bileehsing Lanwont Namoog, Chief of the Kotintabig Traditional Area in Ghana's Nabdam District, has urged the media and traditional leaders to hold the government and contractors accountable for development projects in the Upper East Region. He emphasized the need for independent verification of claims about infrastructure projects, rather than relying solely on statements from politicians. This call was made during an interview on Bolga FM's Tooma La Dengo Sanga.
Naab Bileehsing cited the Bolgatanga-Bawku road project as an example, questioning whether preliminary activities at project sites should be presented as significant progress when actual construction remains incomplete. He claimed that machinery had been moved to some project sites ahead of President John Mahama's visit but was subsequently removed. The traditional leader urged journalists to visit project sites and independently establish the progress of work.
The chief emphasized that accountability should extend beyond government officials and contractors to traditional leaders and residents. He urged chiefs to ensure they are informed about contracts awarded for projects within their traditional areas and to monitor their implementation. Naab Bileehsing recalled his involvement in supervising a community dam project, which contributed to its successful implementation and continued functionality.
Naab Bileehsing cautioned against allowing partisan considerations to undermine project quality, arguing that communities could find it difficult to demand accountability when contractors are protected due to political connections. He urged communities to support projects that could expand Bolgatanga and surrounding areas, including development towards the BONABOTO enclave.
The traditional leader appealed to landowners not to focus solely on immediate compensation when land is required for public infrastructure. Instead, communities should consider the longer-term benefits of such projects. Naab Bileehsing maintained that achieving meaningful development in the Upper East Region would require government accountability alongside active participation by the media, traditional leaders, and communities.
Naab Bileehsing's comments come as the Upper East Region continues to face development challenges. His call for stronger scrutiny of government projects has been echoed by some residents, who are eager to see tangible progress on infrastructure development. The region has seen several projects initiated, but their implementation and completion have been slow.
The media and traditional leaders have a crucial role to play in ensuring that government projects are implemented effectively and efficiently. By holding the government and contractors accountable, they can help ensure that development projects benefit the communities they are intended to serve. Naab Bileehsing's comments have sparked a renewed debate on the need for greater transparency and accountability in government projects.
Key points
- Naab Bileehsing calls for stronger scrutiny of government projects in Ghana's Upper East Region.
- Media and traditional leaders urged to hold government and contractors accountable.
- Communities should consider long-term benefits of development projects beyond immediate compensation.
