The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development (MLGDRD) has held a training workshop on Budget Implementation Instructions and Public Finance Management (PFM) Act (2016), (Act 921) for departmental Heads of the Ministry to train them on how to effectively implement approved budgets at different levels of the Ministry to enable them achieve greater transparency, accountability and control over public financial resources and ultimately ensure the  effective and efficient implement of government policies.

The workshop which was held on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at the Ellking Hotel took the form of presentations by various facilitators and a plenary session and participants were taken through the “2024 Budget Implementation Instructions” which covered Government Expenditure Measures and Arrears Prevention, Compensation of Employees, Goods and Services, Capital Expenditure, Other General Rules, Sanctions and Penalties Under the PFM Act and Flow Charts for Business Processes. Participants were also taken through the Public Finance Management Act (2016), (Act 921).

In attendance at the workshop were representatives from the various departments of the ministry, the Institute of Local Government Service, the office of the Head of Local Government services among others. Some facilitators were Mr. Osei Gyamera, Group Head, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ministry of Finance (MOF), Mr. Felix Dovoh from Ministry of Finance, and Mr. Kobby Biritwum, also from the Ministry of Finance.

Representing the President of the Republic of Ghana, Hon. Osei Bonsu Amoah, a minister of state at the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) presided over the inauguration of the Atiwa East and Atiwa West District Assemblies. The ceremony, symbolized a significant stride towards decentralized governance in Ghana.

Addressing the Assembly members and the gathering, Hon. O. B. Amoah emphasized the critical role these assemblies play in fostering community-driven development and empowering local voices.

The minister of state reiterated the President’s commitment to grassroots governance, highlighting the importance of citizen participation in shaping policies and programs at the district level. He urged newly sworn-in Assembly Members to embrace their responsibilities with dedication and integrity, emphasizing the need to prioritize the needs of their constituents above all else.

The inauguration ceremony served as a platform for reflection on Ghana's democratic journey and a reaffirmation of its commitment to inclusive governance.

The inauguration of the Atiwa East and West District Assemblies marked not only the beginning of a new chapter in local governance but also a testament to Ghana's enduring commitment to democracy, development, and the empowerment of its people.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

            (MLGDRD Public Relations Unit)

The Kumasi Metropolitan and the Ahafo Ano North District Assemblies, under the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, appointed 30 percent of assembly members together with elected members have been inaugurated in Kumasi and Tepa respectively, after the December 2023 District Level Elections (DLEs) and the expiration of the 2019 DLEs.

The DLEs have been held every four years in the country since 1988 and have taken place a year before the Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

The Assemblies' mandate is to deliberate, plan, and mobilise resources and make decisions and bye-laws to bring development in their localities.

Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) with their unit committee members per the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) are indispensable parts of the development of local communities.

Hon. Daniel Botwe, Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, represented President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the KMA and Ahafo-Ano North Assemblies.

In his spoeech, President Addo urged the Assemblies to change the status quo to deepen local governance and decentralisation for the citizens to have access to public services in their Districts rather than demand such services from Accra.

The KMA swore in 66 Assembly and unit committee members, which included 46 elected and 20 appointed members with five zonal councils.

Out of the 66, KMA has two female elected and four appointed representing nine percent of the total members.

While Ahafo-Ano North swore in 56 Assembly Members made of 39 elected and 17 appointees members with one elected female and four appointed members and seven zonal councils.

Source: Matilda Tettey (MLGDRD, PR Unit)