The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) has held a capacity-building workshop in Accra to equip staff from its Departments and Agencies with practical guidance on budget implementation procedures and fund utilisation.
The workshop, facilitated by MLGCRA in collaboration with technical teams from the Ministry of Finance, focused on strengthening staff understanding of the Budget Implementation Instructions, a critical component in ensuring that funds allocated for development purposes are fully accessed, properly applied, and effectively accounted for.
Addressing participants at the session, Chief Budget Analyst, Madam Freda Faah, underscored the importance of equipping staff with the right knowledge and tools to navigate Ghana’s public financial management framework. She noted that budget implementation is not merely a technical routine but a strategic process that determines whether developmental funds translate into real, measurable outcomes.
“Resources may be allocated, but without the proper capacity to access and implement, those funds risk being underutilised or returned to government coffers,” Madam Faah stated. “This engagement is meant to demystify the process, empower staff, and ensure that no opportunity for development is lost due to gaps in understanding or execution.”
Participants were taken through key aspects of the Budget Implementation Instructions, including fund disbursement procedures, compliance requirements, financial reporting timelines, and strategies for aligning expenditure with sector targets.
The workshop also forms part of the Ministry’s broader internal reform agenda to enhance operational efficiency, improve project delivery outcomes, and drive home the principle that accountable budgeting is central to local governance and service delivery.
By the end of the session, staff had gained clarity on their specific roles in the budget chain and committed to applying the lessons learned in the execution of their respective departmental mandates.
Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann
(Public Relations Unit- MLGCRA)