Ghana lags in budget transparency, citizens participation in budget process — 2023 OBS report

Ghana's performance in ensuring transparency in public finances and citizens participation in budget processes still falls below required standards, according to the latest Open Budget Survey report for 2023.

The report, compiled by international civil society group International Budget Partnership, assessed 125 countries on budget transparency, public participation in the budget process, and oversight provided by legislatures and audit institutions.

According to program officer at SEND Ghana, Mohammed Abdulai who presented the findings at a dissemination event in Accra on Thursday, August 29, "Ghana has decreased the availability of budget information by failing to publish in-year reports on expenditure online in a timely manner and reducing information provided in the executive's budget proposal."

Ghana scored 46 out of 100 for budget transparency, 17 out of 100 for public participation in the budget process, and 28 out of 100 for oversight provided by the legislature and audit service.

These scores indicate Ghana is still not meeting the minimum standards of 61 out of 100 required for an adequate performance.

In an interview, Abdulai said "Parliament actually needs to sit up when it comes to them playing their oversight responsibility" since the report recommends the legislature should scrutinize budget documents before approval and monitor budget implementation more closely.

Similarly, the report recommends reforms for the audit service to "increase the extent to which they involve citizens in the auditing process" through mechanisms like the Citizens Eye app to receive public feedback on audits.

SEND Ghana Country Director Harriet Nuamah Agyemang emphasized "our government must be very open to the very people they are leading or serving" as per the principles of democracy.

She called for strengthening efforts across all institutions to promote good governance through greater transparency and citizens participation in decision making on public resources.

Asked about tangible benefits of transparency, Agyemang noted participatory budgeting ensures resources align with actual citizen needs and priorities.

It also allows for monitoring of project implementation and value for money, critical for effective use of limited public funds, stressed Mrs. Agyemang.

Moving forward, stakeholders at the event recommended, among other things, that legislators be given ample time to extensively consult with their constituents, that the media play a critical role in putting pressure on duty-bearers, and that key players in the budget preparation process undergo attitudinal change to ensure better performance in subsequent reports.

“Don't see the findings as another routine assessment but accept it as a challenge so that we can possibly change the narrative for the country because it is only through that we can get better,” Mrs Nuamah Agyemang urged government.