Accra – Thursday, March 11, 2021: The Head of Local Government Service, Ing. Dr Nana Ato Arthur paid a working visit to the Acting Controller and Accountant General, Mr Kwasi Kwaning-Bosompem.
The visit was to explore avenues to deepen the existing collaboration between the two institutions and to discuss some pertinent issues of concern, particularly the creation of Management Units for the six newly created Regional Co-ordinating Councils (RCCs) and some Six (6) Municipal and District Assemblies which are outstanding.
Ing. Dr. Nana Ato Arthur lauded the long-standing working relationship between the Local Government Service and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD). He mentioned that the six (6) new RCCs and the last six (6) of Assemblies created are without Management Unit Codes, a situation which critically constraints the salary administration of staff. He emphasised the need for Finance Officers to make their expertise in resource mobilization available to their MMDAs and support efforts to improve internally generated revenue. The Head of Service intimated the need for periodic meetings involving Regional Directors of CAGD and RCDs to discuss issues affecting their institutions as a first step measure to reduce the financial audit infractions reported against the MMDAs.
Dr. Arthur added that there is the need for CAGD to issue a strong directive on the effective use of the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) by the Finance Officers in the MMDAs.
The Chief Director of the Office of the Head of Local Government Service, Mr James Oppong-Mensah also underscored the urgent need for the LGS and the CAGD to collaborate to build the capacities of Assembly staff particularly those involved in salary administration and financial management. He was of the view that such efforts will send a strong signal and clearly demonstrate the deepening collaboration.
The Acting Controller and Accountant General, Mr. Kwasi Kwaning-Bosompem noted the issues discussed and assured that, CAGD will create the managements units for the outstanding RCCs and Assemblies latest end of April, 2021. He also took time to explain to the Head of Service and his team the operations of his outfit. He was in full support of the suggestion that Finance Officers should support IGF mobilization efforts. The Controller who has long years of working with the MMDAs shared his experience on how he supported some Assemblies in the area of resource mobilization.
Also present at the meeting was the Deputy Controller in charge of payroll Mr Wisdom Konlan Messan.