Foundation launches initiative to promote good governance, sustainable agriculture

The Clement Isong Foundation has launched an initiative to empower community champions in budget monitoring and tracking to promote good governance and sustainable agricultural practices. Over 36 projects across various local councils were tracked through field surveys and official budget documents, revealing instances of project abandonment and misallocation of funds. The initiative involved community volunteers engaging key ministries, agencies, and departments to gather relevant information about budget releases and project status. The Executive Director of AHDC highlighted the challenges faced by the agricultural sector due to climate change, emphasizing its impact on agricultural production and economic development. Dr. Iboro Nelson from USAID praised the effectiveness of budget tracking in ensuring transparency and youth involvement in monitoring government activities. Mr. Elkanah Oluyori discussed the findings of their budget tracking program in Akwa Ibom State, including insights from research conducted using questionnaires and focus group discussions. Additionally, the initiative employed a climate change mitigation and adaptation scorecard tailored for the agricultural sector to evaluate government interventions in promoting sustainable agriculture and combating climate change. Source: The Guardian

Our Review
The initiative by the Clement Isong Foundation demonstrates a proactive approach to promoting accountability and transparency in budget implementation, particularly in the agricultural sector. By engaging community champions and utilizing tools like field surveys and official documents, the initiative effectively identifies instances of misallocation of funds and project abandonment, highlighting areas for improvement in governance. The emphasis on climate change mitigation and adaptation in agriculture underscores the importance of addressing environmental challenges for sustainable development. The involvement of stakeholders, including youth, and using feedback mechanisms through questionnaires, contribute to a more inclusive and participatory approach to governance and policy-making. Overall, the initiative represents a commendable effort towards fostering good governance practices and promoting sustainable agricultural development.