The Centre for Local Governance Advocacy (CLGA) is urging citizens, civil society organisations and the media to play a stronger role in holding Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) accountable, following fresh evidence of weak financial management across the country.
The call comes after the release of the 2024 Public Financial Management Compliance League Table (PFMCLT), which assessed 258 out of 261 assemblies—representing 99 percent nationwide coverage.
The report paints a worrying picture: only 12 assemblies met the minimum 50 percent benchmark, while the national average stood at 33 percent.
This represents an improvement from 2023 but still falls below the pass mark. La Dade Kotopon Municipal Assembly ranked first, while Adenta placed last among the top ten.
At a media engagement to discuss the findings, the deputy executive director of CLGA, Gladys Tetteh, emphasised that sound financial management at the local level directly impacts the quality of life of citizens.
“When resources are managed well, the benefits are visible in better roads, cleaner water, stronger schools, functioning health centres, and improved livelihoods,” she said.
“But when they are mismanaged, the costs are equally visible: stalled projects, broken infrastructure, uncompleted schools, and the loss of vital opportunities.”
Tetteh stressed that the league table was not designed to apportion blame but to stimulate learning, encourage competition and drive reforms among assemblies.
“These findings are not for blame or praise alone,” she stated. “They are meant to encourage assemblies to reflect, to learn, and to improve. We want this to inspire healthy competition and ultimately lead to reforms that serve citizens better.”
She added that the CLGA believes transparency must go hand-in-hand with active participation from communities and strong oversight from the media.
“This vision cannot be achieved through fiscal systems alone,” she added. “It requires the vigilance of citizens, the commitment of civil society, the support of development partners, and, importantly, the shining light of the media in ensuring good progress in difficult times.”
The deputy director also used the occasion to thank the CLGA’s partners and local stakeholders whose support has sustained the PFMCLT initiative.
“Together we can build stronger institutions, develop better services, and embrace the data,” she said. “When public resources are managed efficiently and transparently, every citizen benefits—not just a few.”
The CLGA reaffirmed its commitment to continue working with stakeholders to strengthen local government systems, improve service delivery, and enhance public trust in the use of state resources.
Report by Gloria Saah for Asaase News in Greater Accra
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