Northern Region MMDAS Charged to Boost IGF and Embrace Digital Financial Compliance For 2027–2030 Budgets

Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) across the Northern Region have been directed to strictly enforce digital procurement tools, optimise Internally Generated Funds (IGF), and clear all outstanding debts before initiating new capital projects.

The directive was issued on behalf of the Minister for Finance by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Gushegu, Mr Adam Abdul Hafiz, during the opening of the 2027–2030 MMDAs Composite Budget Hearing held on Wednesday in Tamale.

Highlighting key public financial management requirements, Mr Abdul Hafiz told all MMDAs to capture their Composite Budgets exclusively using the GIFMIS Budget Module (Hyperion) and execute all procurement transactions through the Ghana Electronic Procurement System (GHANEPS).

He stressed that Assemblies must operate strictly within approved budget ceilings and ensure proposals reflect realistic revenue and expenditure forecasts, in compliance with Regulation 17(3) of the Public Financial Management Regulations, 2019 (L.I. 2378).

To guarantee tangible development, the MCE instructed the Assemblies to allocate a minimum of 20 per cent of their IGF to high-impact capital projects.

“Prudent financial management demands that we prioritise value for money. Assemblies must complete ongoing projects and settle all outstanding liabilities on completed contracts before committing public funds to new initiatives,” Mr Abdul Hafiz emphasised.

Addressing revenue sustainability, Mr Abdul Hafiz urged MMDAs to innovate beyond traditional revenue streams by leveraging the government’s 24-Hour Economy initiative to broaden their tax base and stimulate local economic growth.

In addition to infrastructure, the MCE called on MMDAs and the Regional Coordinating Council to integrate health and social welfare measures into their medium-term plans, citing dedicated resource allocations for HIV interventions.

Mr Abdul Hafiz called on Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to take full ownership of the budget formulation process alongside their respective Budget Committees.

Under the stipulated nationwide schedule spanning October 12 to 23, 2026 across all 16 regions, General Assemblies must approve all finalised 2027 Composite Budgets, Presiding Members and Coordinating Directors must endorse them, and the NRCC must submit them to the Ministry of Finance by November 4, 2026.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Acting Chief Director of the NRCC, Mr Sumaila Ewuntomah Abudu, emphasised that the regional hearings serve as a critical platform for Assemblies to defend their expenditure choices and demonstrate how planned budgets align with local needs and national policy goals.

Mr Abudu advised the technical teams to present clear, evidence-based submissions that detail robust revenue strategies and measurable development outcomes.

The Regional Budget Analyst, alongside a three-member panel from the Ministry of Finance, will be guiding the technical sessions to ensure financial rigour, transparency, and operational alignment across all participating MMDAs.

Bala Ali & Salifu Yakubu Abdulai, ISD