The Ga East Municipal Assembly (GEMA) has held its Departmental Budget Hearing as part of preparations for the 2026 budget year.

The two-day exercise, which took place on Monday, 8th and Tuesday, 9th September 2025 at the Assembly’s Conference Hall in Abokobi, brought together 32 Departments and Units to present their draft budgets.

The presentations were reviewed by a six-member panel chaired by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Edmund Agboh.

Other panel members included the Municipal Coordinating Director (MCD), Mr. Nii-Amarh Ashitey; Chairman of the Finance and Administration Sub-Committee and Assembly Member for Dome West, Mr. Ebenezer Kwao; the Municipal Planning Officer (MPO), Daniel Baah Tenkorang; the Municipal Budget Analyst (MBA), Benedicta Obeng Nyarko; and the Municipal Finance Officer (MFO), Nana Ato.

Also in attendance to observe proceedings was the Presiding Member (PM), Mr. Bright Paul Mintah.

In his remarks, Mr. Agboh expressed confidence in the Heads of Departments to submit realistic and workable budgets that align with the municipality’s development priorities.

He urged them to build on past performances and ensure that every sector of service delivery was adequately addressed.

The 2026 Municipal Budget is being prepared using the Programme-Based Budgeting (PBB) format, in line with Article 179(2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution.

The format requires evidence of service delivery linkages, with clear output indicators tied to outcomes, programmes, sub-programmes, and adopted policy objectives.

Once finalised, the draft budget will be presented at a General Assembly Meeting for approval, then submitted to the Regional Budget Hearing, before being forwarded to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning for final approval and release of funds.