SUHUM WRAPS UP GAIT II (PAGE 20)

Srory: A. Kofoya-Tetteh, Koforidua

GOVERNMENT Accountability Improvement Trust (GAIT), a United States-sponsored programme to improve the living conditions of people, especially in the rural areas, has folded up its activities in the Suhum-Kraboa-Coaltar District after a successful operation.
The programme strengthens democratic governance and decentralisation, promotes civic involvement in local governance and enhances community participation for quality education, especially the provision of classrooms and other educational materials.
The district, which successfully went through GAIT I, had to go through the second phase (GAIT II) that commenced in August, 2004 and ended in December 2007, during which it accomplished its objectives in all the specified areas, such as community participation in a number of projects in the various communities.
Addressing a colourful durbar to round off its activities, the Deputy District Co-ordinating Director (DDCD), Mr E. K. Mensah, said the initiative had gone a long way to improve the living standards of the people in the area.
Mr Mensah, who spoke on behalf of the District Chief Executive, mentioned assistance to individuals (civil society) and the construction of school blocks as some of the areas covered.
He expressed his appreciation to the sponsors of the programme, USAID, for its support.
In a presentation, an Assistant Director at the District Education office, Mr S. Atakpa, said all the specified sectors were involved in the programme and that GAIT II officials were strategically placed in 27 school where the officials planned, organised, supervised and co-ordinated all the activities successfully.
Mr Atakpa, however, stated that one school was not covered because it could not satisfy the set criteria.
Mr Atakpa said the programme had enhanced human resource development that had made it possible for school management committees, parent-teacher associations, chiefs and community members to perform planned activities.
Mrs Evelyn Arthur of GAIT, was happy that GAIT II’s three-year programme had yielded positive results, and added that the district assembly would continue to receive more funding to involve people in decision-making.
She also thanked USAID for providing the financial support.