Nearly half of Ghana's Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies still fall short of minimum public financial management standards, World Bank officials said as the Ministry of Finance and the Bank launched a sub-national Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability assessment and Public Financial Management Review.
World Bank representative Raymond Muhula pointed to the Centre for Local Governance Advocacy PFM league table. Average scores rose from 22% in 2023 to 56% in 2025, which he called real progress, while stressing that nearly half of assemblies still miss the minimum benchmark.
Gaps remain in procurement planning, financial reporting, internal audits and follow-up on audit findings. The review is expected to cover all 261 districts across the full budget cycle and to set out recommendations to tighten local fiscal discipline and accountability.
Ministry of Finance Chief Director Dr Patrick Nomo, speaking for the Finance Minister, restated the government's commitment to transparency in the use of public resources at the local level. Officials said the assessment should give assemblies a clearer roadmap for closing persistent weaknesses.