The Centre for Local Governance Advocacy (CLGA) has urged stronger accountability measures as stakeholders push for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) cited in the Auditor-General’s Report to lose points in the upcoming 2025 Public Financial Management Compliance League Table (PFMCLT).
The proposal was tabled during a multi-stakeholder technical meeting organized by the CLGA to review and validate the draft 2025 PFMCLT Assessment Tool.
The meeting brought together institutions across the Public Financial Management (PFM) chain and representatives from civil society organisations.
Assemblies to Be Penalised for Auditor-General Infractions
Stakeholders expressed concern that despite recurring financial irregularities reported by the Auditor-General, the current PFMCLT scoring system does not impose adequate penalties on offending Assemblies.
They therefore proposed that any MMDA cited for misappropriation, non-compliance or other financial infractions should automatically lose points under the Auditing Indicator.
According to participants, such sanctions would:
- Strengthen deterrence
- Promote prudent management of public resources
- Drive improved accountability to citizens
Poor Reporting to NDPC to Affect Scores
Concerns were also raised about widespread non-compliance with mandatory quarterly reporting to the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC).
Many Assemblies, the stakeholders noted, fail to submit quarterly performance reports, undermining effective planning and weakening the reliability of national development data.
It was recommended that MMDAs that default on these statutory submissions should lose marks under the Planning Indicator to reinforce compliance.
Procurement Reforms to Promote Local Economic Development
On procurement, stakeholders called for adjustments to the PFMCLT that would support local economic growth while maintaining transparency and value for money.
Among the proposals were:
- Giving priority to local firms during Requests for Quotations (RFQs)
- Ensuring National Competitive Tendering (NCT) and other procurement methods are assessed with emphasis on fairness, openness and inclusiveness
Strengthening the PFMCLT as an Accountability Tool
The review meeting forms part of broader efforts to enhance the PFMCLT as a national accountability framework that objectively measures MMDA compliance with PFM laws, regulations and international best practices.
The 2025 edition of the PFMCLT is expected to incorporate the new recommendations to keep the tool credible, robust and reflective of realities within Ghana’s local governance system.
The CLGA reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with government institutions and development partners to strengthen public financial management, deepen transparency, and improve accountability at the sub-national level.
