Due to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and implications to the economic development coupled with constraints in resource mobilization, the Ministry of Finance has asked all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to allocate resources to strategic and critical programmes, ahead of the budget preparation for 2021to 2024 fiscal year.
Additionally, the Finance Ministry said Internally Generated Funds (IGFs) and Development Partner (DP) Funds should be appropriately budgeted for as failure to budget for such funds will result in the inability to utilize them during budget implementation.
The Ministry is expected to organise budget hearings for MDAs and further called on them to adhere to the timelines communicated.
“Honourable Ministers and Chief Directors are to take note that, the 2021-2024 Budget Hearings will be held via video conferencing and are therefore entreated to make the necessary arrangements to participate in the Hearings. Statutory Fund Managers are also required to participate in the Budget Hearings together with their respective supervisory Ministries on the dates indicated.
“Colleague Ministers are further urged to take ownership and lead the entire budget preparation process to ensure that all on-going policy initiatives and other strategic programmes of Government and priority programmes are fully captured within the approved expenditure ceilings provided.
“Chief Directors are similarly encouraged to comply with all directives outlined in the Guidelines and ensure timely submission of all requisite budget documents to the office of the Director of Budget five working days before their scheduled Hearings.”
By Laud Nartey|3news.com|Ghana