MMDAs must be accountable

Yesterday, we reported on our front page that an amount of GH¢242.84 million in irregularities was recorded in the accounts of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) over the past decade. 

The Auditor-General's reports revealed a pattern of misappropriation of funds, unearned salary payments and other forms of financial mismanagement.

The fact that 66 MMDAs paid GH¢7.82 million in salaries to 366 revenue collectors who generated only GH¢3.99 million in revenue is a clear example of the inefficiencies and irregularities that plague these institutions.

For instance, 66 MMDAs employed 366 people to collect revenue within their jurisdictions in the last three years and paid them GH¢7.82 million as salaries for the period while they collected only GH¢3.99 million.

The accounts of the assemblies, supposed to be managed efficiently to support the development of local communities, have been awash with degrees of internal control weaknesses and managerial ineffectiveness, amounting to significant irregularities every year.

The irregularities, which covered the period from 2014 to the latest report in 2023, were in the form of misappropriation of funds, unearned salary payments, stores, procurement, contracts, cash, payroll and taxes.

This worrying trend is a clear indication of the lack of accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.

The root cause of these irregularities lies in the lack of accountability and oversight.

The assemblies are not answerable to any supervisory authority, and as a result, they act with recklessness without incurring any sanctions.

The amendment to the Local Government Act of 1993, which removed presiding members from chairing internal audit committees, has only exacerbated the problem.

The recent revelation of widespread irregularities in the accounts of MMDAs is a stark reminder of the need for accountability in local governance. The Auditor-General's reports have consistently highlighted the mismanagement of public funds, unearned salary payments and other forms of financial malfeasance.

These irregularities are not only a drain on the public purse but also undermine the trust and confidence of citizens in local government institutions.

The lack of accountability and transparency in the management of public funds is a major obstacle to the effective delivery of public services and the achievement of development goals.

To address these challenges, the government must implement robust mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.

This includes the establishment of independent audit committees, the strengthening of internal audit functions, and the enforcement of sanctions against officials found guilty of financial malfeasance.

Furthermore, the citizens should be empowered to hold their local government officials accountable.

This requires the provision of accessible and timely information on public finances, the creation of opportunities for citizen participation and engagement, and the protection of whistleblowers who report instances of corruption and malfeasance.

The need for accountability in local governance cannot be overstated. The government, citizens and other stakeholders must work together to establish robust accountability mechanisms, promote transparency and accountability, and ensure that public funds are used for the benefit of all.

In curbing the menace, the Daily Graphic recommends the establishment of independent audit committees to oversee the management of public funds, and also strengthen internal audit functions to detect and prevent financial malfeasance.

There is also the need to enforce sanctions against officials found guilty of financial malfeasance and provide accessible and timely information on public finances to citizens.

By implementing these recommendations, Ghana can promote accountability, transparency and good governance in local government institutions, and ensure that public funds are used for the benefit of all.