The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Committee on Local Government and Decentralisation, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has appealed for greater accountability, transparency, and financial discipline in the management of public resources by Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Ghana.
Asenso-Boakye made the call during the Committee’s public hearings on the Annual Statements of Audit Committees of Assemblies on Monday, October 5, 2026. He emphasized that resources entrusted to local authorities must be managed efficiently, transparently, and in strict accordance with the law to ensure public funds translate into meaningful improvements in citizens' lives.
MMDAs occupy a critical position in Ghana’s governance structure, serving as the level of government closest to citizens and playing a central role in delivering essential services and community infrastructure. Asenso-Boakye stressed that where public funds have been misapplied or established procedures disregarded, Parliament must insist on accountability and corrective action.
The Committee's work should go beyond assigning blame; it should also help identify weaknesses in systems and institutions and provide practical recommendations to strengthen financial management and prevent recurring lapses. Asenso-Boakye urged officials appearing before the Committee to cooperate fully and provide accurate and transparent information.
Asenso-Boakye warned MMDAs against allowing the same audit irregularities to recur year after year without meaningful corrective action. He emphasized that the effectiveness of Ghana’s public audit system must ultimately be measured by whether audit recommendations are implemented, identified weaknesses addressed, and systems strengthened.
The true value of an audit process lies in whether its recommendations lead to improved systems, stronger internal controls, better financial management, and, ultimately, better outcomes for the people. Asenso-Boakye indicated that Parliament must pay particular attention to the irregularities identified in audit reports and the reasons why weaknesses persist.
The ultimate measure of effective local governance is the difference it makes in the daily lives of citizens. According to Asenso-Boakye, Parliament's oversight of MMDAs should ensure that local institutions are better equipped to deliver meaningful development to their communities, and success should be measured by whether the work contributes to stronger Assemblies, improved financial discipline, and better service delivery for the people of Ghana.
Key points
- Asenso-Boakye calls for transparency and financial discipline among MMDAs.
- MMDAs play a central role in delivering essential services and community infrastructure.
- The effectiveness of Ghana’s public audit system relies on implementing audit recommendations.
