On Tuesday, 24th June 2025, the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) Ghana, organized a Public Interest and Accountability Forum at the District Assembly Conference Room in Asesewa, the district capital of the Upper Manya Krobo District of the Eastern Region. The forum aimed to educate residents on the management, use of petroleum revenues and to promote citizen involvement in the monitoring of how public resources are utilized for the desired development.
Objectives of the Forum:
- To sensitize the local population on how Ghana’s petroleum revenues were allocated and expended.
- To create awareness on the role of citizens in demanding transparency and accountability.
- To provide a platform for residents to engage directly with PIAC and other local authorities.
Key Participants:
The forum brought together key stakeholders, including:
- Officials from the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC).
- The Chief and elders of Asesewa.
- The District Chief Executive (DCE).
- The District Coordinating Director.
- Heads of Departments from the District Assembly Office.
- The District Director of Education.
- The Headmistress of Asesewa Senior High School.
- Civil society representatives and community members.
Activities and Discussions:
The PIAC officials delivered an informative presentations on the flow of petroleum revenues, allocation mechanisms, and the role of oversight institutions. They emphasized the importance of transparency in the petroleum resources governance and urged citizens to take an active interest in how oil revenue were translated into tangible development at the local level.
An open forum was held after the main presentations. During this interactive session, participants asked questions and sought for clarification on issues of concern including:
- How petroleum funds were distributed to districts across the country.
- Priority areas for development funding.
- The extent to which citizens can influence development choices.
- Measures in place to ensure accountability in the use of oil revenues.
PIAC officers provided detailed responses and shared real-life examples on how citizen’s oversight had led to a better outcomes some districts of the country.
Outcomes:
The forum elicited the following results.
- Increased awareness among community members about petroleum revenue management.
- Strengthened dialogue between citizens and duty bearers.
- Renewed call for active citizen participation in governance processes.
- Commitment from local leaders to enhance transparency in project implementation.
Conclusion:
The forum was a success, fostering mutual understanding between PIAC and the people of Asesewa. It empowered citizens to take greater interest in local development issues and to hold authorities accountable. Participants commended PIAC for bringing such a vital engagement to the community and expressed hope for more of such fora in the future.
