By Ishmael Junourgh 
WA, Upper West Region: The Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project has equipped 120 community facilitators in the Upper West Region with biometric tablets to strengthen monitoring, accountability and data-driven decision-making.
The tablets were issued during a three-day orientation in Wa. They will be used to record the attendance of community labourers on SOCO-funded projects, supporting accurate payrolls and the payment of wages.
The project is being implemented in 48 district assemblies across six regions, with 192 clusters and about 382 community facilitators.
The SOCO Management Information Systems Specialist, Mr Richard Adofo Ansung, said the digital tools would provide a more effective way of documenting activities and tracking progress at project sites.
The SOCO Zonal Coordinator for the Upper West and Savannah Regions, Mr David Yankey, reported that 98 of the 127 sub-projects in the first cycle have been completed and handed over, while about 151 of the 173 sub-projects in the second cycle are complete.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Hon. Charles Lwanga Puozuing Esq., urged the facilitators to share only verified information, listen before speaking, treat people fairly and earn the trust of the communities they serve. He also encouraged them to use their earnings wisely and to build skills for the future.
“When communities are properly informed and actively involved, they are more likely to understand, support, protect, and take ownership” of development interventions, he said.
Issued by: Public Relations Unit, Upper West Regional Co-ordinating Council, Wa.