Budgeting as a tool for enhancing financial management in local government authorities

Scientific Essay from the year 2014 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, , language: English, abstract: MMDAs as development partners to the central government need to mobilize enough revenue locally to support the central government development agenda. Inadequate financial resources can undermine the effective implementation of developmental projects in MMDAs. Budgets are important as they prudently manage scarce financial resources and at the same time serve as a means of expenditure authorization, control and evaluation base. MMDAs in Ghana, prepare budgets but deal with it in lesser extent, unlike the profit-making organizations which consider budget and budgetary controls important element in their policies. It is against this background that this study was carried out to find ways by which MMDAS especially AEDA can use budgeting and budgetary controls as management tools to prudently enhance their financial management system for local development. The case study approach was used in the study. Interviews and questionnaires were used to solicit data for the study. The research found out among other things that MMDAs prepare budgets and control the budgets. The research data evidently prove that in the case of Ada East District Assembly, this is true. However, poor budget formulation and implementation and low revenue generation base make it difficult for MMDAs to live up to their responsibility as partners to the central government in national development. Recommendations and suggestions have accordingly been made to improve upon budgeting and budgetary controls in MMDAs and the nation as a whole.

David Ackah a Ghanaian Professional Holds Ph.D. in Economic Development in Africa, MSc. Economics from the United State of America, Bachelor Degree in Accounting, Post Graduate Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management, & Post Graduate Diploma in Customer Relationship Management. He also holds a Diploma in Marketing from Institute of Commercial Management (ICM UK), Standard Diploma in Sales Management from Managing & Marketing Sales Association (MAMSA UK) and a certificate in Marketing & Salesmanship from the Institute of Export and Shipping Management. David Ackah holds 'Fellow Chartered Membership' (Highest Grade Membership) from the following Institutions, Institute of Project Management Professionals Ghana, Chartered Institute of Supply Chain Management, Ghana, Chartered Institute of Project Management, Nigeria, Institute of Certified Economists Ghana, & Chartered Institute of Customer Relationship Management, Nigeria. David Ackah is the President of Institute of Project Management Professionals and a Senior Lecturer and Internal Auditor of Golden Sunbeam University College of Science & Technology (both School of Business and Administration) with an oversight of administrative and accounting procedures as well as planning the long-term auditing strategy for the onward development of the University. He provides operational support, monitoring and periodic review of administrative auditing to ensure the achievement of the vision and goals of the University. David Ackah is an author of five Internationally Published Books in the areas of Business, and about forty-two Articles Published in the International domain. He has a total University teaching experience of 5 years, and a total professional experience of 8 years in Manufacturing, Pharma marketing, Sales/Distribution, administration, Economics & finance.