Asenso-Boakye calls for stronger accountability as parliament begins audit hearings on MMDAs

Member of Parliament for Bantama Constituency, Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye has called for stronger accountability and financial discipline at the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly (MMDA) level as Parliament begins public hearings on the Annual Statements of Audit Committees of MMDAs.

Mr. Asenso-Boakye made the call in his capacity as Ranking Member of Parliament’s Committee on Local Government and Decentralisation, following the commencement of the committee’s public hearings.

In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, the Bantama MP stressed that audit findings should not become a recurring exercise in which the same weaknesses are identified year after year without meaningful corrective action.

He argued that the purpose of parliamentary oversight should extend beyond identifying financial and administrative lapses to ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to address them.

According to him, effective oversight must translate into stronger institutions, greater accountability, improved financial discipline and better service delivery for citizens.

“Parliament’s oversight must ultimately lead to stronger institutions, greater accountability and financial discipline, and better service delivery for our people,” he stated.

Mr. Asenso-Boakye further underscored the need for prudent management of public funds at the local-government level, stressing that every cedi entrusted to local authorities must be properly accounted for and directed towards the development needs of communities.

His comments place emphasis on the importance of following up on audit findings and ensuring that identified weaknesses do not persist from one reporting cycle to another.

The public hearings are expected to provide an opportunity for Parliament to examine the work of audit committees within MMDAs and scrutinise issues relating to accountability, financial management and the implementation of corrective measures.

For the Bantama MP, the effectiveness of the oversight process will ultimately be measured by whether it contributes to improved financial governance and tangible development outcomes at the local level.