The Regional Composite Budget Hearing for Central Region took place at the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly Hall on 9th day of October 2023 at 9:30am. Four (4) MMDAs were scheduled to undertake their presentations. They were: Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipal Assembly, Ekumfi District Assembly, Mfantsiman Municipal Assembly, and the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly. The event began with an opening prayer which was followed by introduction of dignitaries’ present including the Regional Minister, Representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Regional House of Chiefs, and the Honourable Assembly members. The Deputy Director of Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly, Madam Beatrice Larnyoh Traore who stood in for the MCE Hon. Ernest Arthur who had then travelled on Official trip to the USA for a Sister City Engagement Programme welcomed all delegates present, urged them to take active participation in the budget hearing exercise. The Regional Budget Analyst, Mr. Bless Kwame Darkey, gave a brief purpose of the gathering, and encouraged each Assembly to do a good presentation. The presentation began with K.E.E.A Municipal Assembly, followed by Ekumfi District, Mfantsiman Municipal, and then CCMA. After the presentation, queries such as; - How is the budget allocated across different expenditure categories (e.g., education, healthcare, infrastructure)? - How much funding is allocated to specific programs or projects within the Assembly's jurisdiction? - Does the Assembly maintain any reserves or contingency funds, and if so, how are they utilized? - How does the actual expenditure and revenue compare to the budgeted figures? - What are the primary sources of revenue for the Assembly (e.g., taxes, grants)? - Is the Assembly's budget process transparent, and are financial reports readily available to the public? Each Assembly was tasked to undertake the necessary remedial and amendment action. The panel commended the participants of the Assemblies for a good work done by adopting the issued guidelines in preparing 2024 Composite Budget. The programme ended at 3:30pm with closing remarks from the representative of the Ministry of Finance.