Efforts to improve financial accountability in local governments gained momentum today as the Ministry of Local Government commenced a Basic Bookkeeping Skills Training for frontline officers from Lower Local Governments and Health Centres. The workshop is equipping frontline officers with practical financial management skills to strengthen accountability, enhance transparency, and ensure timely tax compliancy to improve service delivery.

In remarks delivered on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kumumanya, by Principal Inspector Mr. Ismail Ahmad, participants were reminded that sound bookkeeping lies at the heart of effective service delivery. “Proper bookkeeping is not merely a legal compliance requirement; it is the foundation of public trust and accountability,” Kumumanya noted.

Over the course of the workshop, 266 frontline officers are expected to acquire practical skills in maintaining cashbooks, revenue registers, vote books, financial reporting, bank reconciliations, and audit readiness. The training is also expected to strengthen compliance with public finance regulations and improve the quality and timeliness of financial reporting.

As participants engaged in practical sessions and discussions today, the message was clear: stronger financial records mean better planning, greater accountability, and improved services for citizens.