Accra: Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) within the Greater Accra Region have collectively mobilised over GHC80 million in internally generated funds (IGF) during the first quarter of 2025. The figure represents 23 per cent of the total budgeted revenue for the year.
According to Ghana News Agency, this was disclosed by Madam Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, Greater Accra Regional Minister, at the first meeting of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) held in Accra. The meeting brought together all 29 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), Presiding Members, representatives from the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), the Regional House of Chiefs, Civil Society Organisations, and heads of departments and agencies.
Leading the revenue mobilisation effort was the Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Assembly, which raised GHC8.4 million, representing 38.5 per cent of its annual budget. In contrast, Ayawaso North recorded the least mobilisation with GHC316,643.66, representing 19.8 per cent of its annual target.
Madam Ocloo stated that the internally generated revenues are complemented by funds transferred by the Government for development needs. She noted that the intentions regarding the release and use of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) had been clarified by the Finance Minister. The first quarter allocation of the DACF is ready for release but subject to the submission of MMDAs’ 2025 Budgets and Work Plans, with over 80 per cent of released funds earmarked for project implementation and development needs.
The Minister urged all Assemblies to adhere strictly to the Cabinet-approved guidelines for DACF utilisation. The RCC will track the receipt and use of the fund according to these guidelines as part of its monitoring exercise for the year.
Madam Ocloo also commended some Assemblies for adopting cashless systems to improve transparency and encouraged others to implement digital platforms to enhance revenue collection and accountability. The RCC plans to hold quarterly review meetings with MMDCEs to assess performance, resolve bottlenecks, and share best practices.
Participants were reminded that the 2026-2029 Medium-Term Development Plans (MTDPs) are due for submission to the NDPC by June 30, 2025, and subsequent budgets must align with interventions captured in these plans. The Minister expressed concern over the inadequate resourcing of sub-district structures, which have been largely reduced to revenue mobilisation units.
RCC monitoring data for the first quarter of 2025 revealed that out of 372 projects being implemented across MMDAs in the region, 207 had been completed, although some carry outstanding debts and expenditures, while 165 projects were either ongoing or abandoned. The Minister urged Assemblies to prioritise completing existing projects before initiating new ones, in line with the DACF utilisation directive.
Participants praised Madam Ocloo for her leadership and committed to supporting efforts to improve revenue mobilisation and accelerate development within their respective Assemblies.