The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Gushegu, Hon. Adam Abdul Hafiz, has urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Northern Region to prioritise development projects that directly improve the lives of citizens in their 2027–2030 Composite Budgets.
He made the call at the opening session of the 2027–2030 MMDAs Composite Budget Hearing for the Northern Region, held at the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC) Round Pavilion in Tamale on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Finance, Hon. Adam Abdul Hafiz said the hearings provided an opportunity to assess the performance of the Assemblies, review their development priorities and ensure that government policies and community needs were translated into realistic and implementable programmes.
He explained that the exercise was being conducted in accordance with Regulation 17(3) of the Public Financial Management Regulations, 2019 (L.I. 2378), as part of a nationwide process involving all 16 regions and 261 MMDAs from October 12 to 23, 2026.
Hon. Adam Abdul Hafiz urged the Assemblies to comply with the relevant public financial management, procurement and local government laws, as well as the 2027–2030 Budget Preparation Guidelines.
He emphasised that all MMDAs were required to prepare and capture their Composite Budgets using the GIFMIS Budget Module, known as Hyperion, while ensuring that their proposals remained within approved ceilings and reflected realistic revenue and expenditure estimates.
The Gushegu MCE also encouraged the Assemblies to strengthen internally generated revenue mobilisation and explore opportunities under the government’s 24-Hour Economy initiative to expand their revenue base and support local development.
He further reminded the MMDAs to process all procurement activities through the Ghana Electronic Procurement System (GHANEPS) and commit at least 20 per cent of their internally generated funds to capital projects that directly benefit citizens.
Hon. Abdul Hafiz urged the Assemblies to prioritise ongoing projects and settle outstanding obligations on completed projects before introducing new ones, stressing the need for prudent financial management and value for money.
He also encouraged the MMDAs and Regional Coordinating Council to incorporate relevant HIV interventions into their development plans and provide adequate resources for their implementation.
On the requirements for the hearings, he said each Assembly must present its 2026 budget implementation status, highlighting achievements, challenges and performance against established indicators, alongside its revenue and expenditure proposals for 2027–2030.
He added that presentations should clearly demonstrate how proposed programmes and projects aligned with government policies and development priorities, with measurable outcomes that would improve the living conditions of residents.
The Gushegu MCE further urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to take ownership of the budget process and lead their respective Budget Committees in finalising their submissions for approval by the General Assemblies.
He said the 2027 Composite Budgets must be approved by the respective General Assemblies and endorsed by the Presiding Members and Coordinating Directors before submission through the Regional Coordinating Council to the Ministry of Finance by November 4, 2026.
In his welcome remarks, the Acting Chief Director of the Northern Regional Coordinating Council, Mr. Sumaila Ewuntomah Abudu, said the hearing offered the Assemblies an opportunity to present their budget proposals, explain expenditure priorities and demonstrate how planned programmes and projects addressed the development needs of their communities.
Mr. Abudu urged the presenting teams to ensure that their submissions were clear, evidence-based and consistent with the applicable budget guidelines and national development priorities. He also encouraged them to highlight revenue mobilisation strategies, expenditure commitments, priority projects and expected development outcomes.
The Regional Budget Analyst, together with a three-member team from the Ministry of Finance and other relevant officials, guided the technical deliberations and sought clarification from the presenting teams where necessary. The hearing forms part of efforts to strengthen financial accountability, promote prudent resource allocation and improve development outcomes across the Northern Region.