By Eugene Davis, Parliament House
The Chairperson of the Local Government and Rural Development Committee, Queenstar Pokuah Sawyerr, has urged Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to make full use of funds allocated by the central government.
She emphasized that such funds must be effectively utilized to ensure that local communities truly benefit from the projects and initiatives for which they have been earmarked.
Her remarks follow reports that some MMDCEs have left funds underutilized, allowing monies to sit idle in accounts while earmarked projects and amenities remain unexecuted.
This came to light when the MCE of Upper Denkyira East, George Anane, appeared before the committee to respond to the annual internal audit reports of MMDAs.
Mr Anane told the committee that, first and second quarter of District Assemblies Common Fund releases for 2025 totaling Ghc 6.6 million is sitting in the accounts of the assembly yet to be expended.
The MCE made the disclosure in response to a querry by Chair of the committee on the status of the usage of funds allocated by the central government.
The revelation of the Upper Denkyira East MCE alarmed the committee prompting the chairperson to issue the urgent appeal.
“To all of you MMDCEs, you know these funds were given because the President’s vision is to decentralize resources—so that communities can directly benefit through boreholes, toilets, and other basic amenities, while the bigger projects are handled at the regional or national level. The monies are not meant to remain in accounts; they must be put to use. Follow due processes and ensure the President’s vision becomes a reality,” she stressed.
She further noted that many MMDCEs are “being too cautious” with the funds, which delays development at the local level.
Madam Queenster Pokuah Sawyer who is also MP for Agona East encouraged the MMDCEs to follow due process and consult their regional ministers and the local government minister where need be in the utilization of monies allocated to them for the development of their districts rather than being overly conscious to spend.
Some of the Regional Ministers and MMDCEs present welcomed the admonition by the committee saying it would ensure responsible spending.
The Local Government and Rural Development Committee is currently holding a week-long public hearing on the annual internal audit reports of MMDAs across the country.
The move is expected to largely curb the several infractions captured by the Auditor General’s report.
