OBS Findings Should Drive Reforms, Not Focus Solely on Rankings — Abena Osei-Asare
By Eugene Nyarko Jnr. | British Council, Accra
The Member of Parliament for Atiwa East, Hon. Abena Osei-Asare, has urged stakeholders to use findings from the Open Budget Survey (OBS) as a tool for driving reforms rather than focusing solely on the country’s rankings.
Speaking during a question-and-answer session at a media engagement organised by SEND Ghana in Accra on Wednesday, Hon. Osei-Asare acknowledged the importance of the survey in improving public financial management.
She noted that Ghana had made significant progress in budget governance over the years, citing the enactment of the Public Financial Management Act and other reforms as evidence.
According to her, the country’s budget processes have evolved considerably, with more information now available to the public than in previous years.
Hon. Osei-Asare said although Ghana’s transparency score had declined in the latest survey, it was important to identify and understand the factors that previously contributed to improvements in the country’s performance.
“I think it is not the score that is most important, but the questions that we are asking as a result of what has been brought to us,” she stated.
The former Deputy Finance Minister indicated that Parliament needed to improve public access to information and strengthen citizen engagement in its oversight responsibilities.
She observed that while many parliamentary activities were undertaken, some were not adequately publicised, thereby affecting public appreciation of Parliament’s work.
Hon. Osei-Asare further stressed the need for the Ministry of Finance and Parliament to adhere strictly to budget publication timelines and make budget information more accessible and easier for citizens to understand.
She also underscored the importance of parliamentary approval for any variations in budget allocations, describing it as critical in reducing fiscal risks.
