Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to commit at least 20 per cent of their internally generated funds (IGF) to capital projects that directly benefit residents as they prepare their 2027–2030 composite budgets.
The directive was announced at the opening of the Northern Regional MMDAs Composite Budget Hearing in Tamale on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, with a call for assemblies to prioritise ongoing projects, settle outstanding obligations and ensure value for money in public spending.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Gushegu, Adam Abdul Hafiz, who spoke on behalf of the Minister for Finance, said the budget preparation process must translate government policies and local development needs into realistic, measurable and implementable programmes.
He urged the assemblies to focus their limited resources on projects that improve living conditions rather than introduce new ones without adequately addressing existing commitments.
Dr Forson also encouraged the assemblies to strengthen revenue mobilisation and explore opportunities under the government’s 24-Hour Economy initiative to expand their revenue base and support local development.
He stressed the need for strict compliance with public financial management, procurement and local government laws, as well as the 2027–2030 Budget Preparation Guidelines.
The Finance Minister further reminded the assemblies that their composite budgets must be prepared using the GIFMIS Budget Module, known as Hyperion, and remain within approved expenditure ceilings, supported by realistic revenue projections.
He also directed the assemblies to process procurement activities through the Ghana Electronic Procurement System (GHANEPS), while urging them to incorporate relevant HIV interventions into their development plans and allocate resources for their implementation.
The hearing, which forms part of a nationwide exercise involving all 16 regions and 261 MMDAs from October 12 to 23, 2026, is being conducted in accordance with Regulation 17(3) of the Public Financial Management Regulations, 2019 (L.I. 2378).
Dr Forson said each assembly was expected to present its 2026 budget implementation status, outlining achievements, challenges and performance against established indicators, alongside its revenue and expenditure proposals for 2027–2030.
He said the presentations must demonstrate how proposed projects and programmes align with government policies and development priorities, with clearly defined outcomes for residents.
He also urged MMDCEs to take ownership of the process and lead their respective budget committees in finalising proposals for approval by their assemblies.
The 2027 composite budgets are expected to be approved by the respective General Assemblies and endorsed by Presiding Members and Coordinating Directors before submission through the Regional Coordinating Councils to the Ministry of Finance by November 4, 2026.
In his welcome remarks, the Acting Chief Director of the Northern Regional Coordinating Council, Sumaila Ewuntomah Abudu, said the hearing provided an opportunity for the assemblies to justify their expenditure priorities and demonstrate how planned projects would address the development needs of their communities.
He urged the presenting teams to ensure that their proposals were clear, evidence-based and consistent with national development priorities and the applicable budget guidelines.
The Regional Budget Analyst, alongside a three-member team from the Ministry of Finance and other relevant officials, is guiding the technical deliberations and seeking clarification from the assemblies on their proposals.
The exercise is intended to strengthen financial accountability, improve resource allocation and ensure that public expenditure delivers tangible development outcomes across the Northern Region.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
