In an effort to promote transparency and enhance efficiency, Project Trust conducted a training session on Wednesday for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Kwara State government, focusing on Monitoring, Evaluation, and Data Management processes.
The training, held in Ilorin, the state capital, involved representatives from various ministries including Budget and Planning, Health, Education and Human Capital Development, and Water Resources.
Additionally, participants included representatives from the Kwara State House of Assembly, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Kwara State Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Kwara State University Teaching Hospital, RUWASA, and members of the Community of Practice (CoP).
Throughout the program, government agencies were educated through several training sessions covering topics such as Social Accountability and Citizen Participation, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Data Management processes.
Kehinde Akinsola, the Kwara State Supporting Officer of Project Fund, introduced the participants to the scope of Connected Development (CODE) within the state.
He explained the core values and significance of social accountability and citizen engagement in governmental decision-making, highlighting various mechanisms for citizen participation.
Janet Ogunkayode, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for WBFA in Kwara State, underscored the critical role of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) in fostering social accountability across government MDAs.
She encouraged the agencies to develop robust M&E frameworks for their programs and initiatives and outlined how data can be effectively used to improve program outcomes.
Ogunkayode also emphasized the importance of data transparency and accessibility in enhancing citizen engagement, while also developing strategies to ensure data security and privacy within the government’s operational framework.
The training is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen governance and improve the effectiveness of government programs through better data management and citizen participation.