Adamu Bening Yakubu, the Sissala East Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and participatory governance in tackling developmental problems.
He said development was key, which was the major means and ways of addressing poverty and solving unemployment.
Adamu Yakubu said this in Tumu during the 2026 composite budget hearing.
He described the occasion as a “significant milestone” in the municipality’s development journey, stressing that the composite budget process was a platform for citizen participation as mandated by Section 42 of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936).
“This budget hearing provides us the opportunity to engage our citizens, deliberate on our priorities, and shape the future of our Municipality together,” he stated.
He added, “It is a demonstration of our commitment to openness and accountability in local governance hence, the need for support of it by all.”
Yakubu outlined key focus areas for the 2026, to include education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and economic growth. According to him, the Assembly will prioritize projects that enhance the quality of life for residents and foster sustainable development.
He said the Sissala East Municipal Assembly has projected a total revenue of GH¢45.1 million for the 2026 fiscal year as part of its composite budget, representing a major increase over the GH¢28.9 million budgeted in 2025.
According to the MCE, the Assembly anticipates significant growth in its internally generated funds (IGF), which are expected to rise from GH¢728,664.64 in 2025 to GH¢2,500,000.00 in 2026, and further increase to GH¢4.3 million by 2029.
Key contributors to this increase include property rates, projected to reach GH¢632,000 in 2026, and other rates and fees, which are expected to bring in over GH¢1.4 million.
Touching on revenue performance, Yakubu announced that the Municipality projected a 29.06 per cent growth in local revenue generation for the coming year.
He attributed the anticipated growth to improved mobilization strategies and stronger commitment to resource management.
The MCE also commended assembly members, development partners, and all stakeholders for their contributions to the budget preparation process, urging them to continue engaging constructively.
“Let us use this opportunity to share ideas and ensure that our budget reflects the true aspirations of our people. Together, we can build a prosperous and sustainable Sissala East,” Yakubu said.
He appealed to traditional authorities and other stakeholders to support the Assembly’s revenue mobilisation drive saying, “We count on our revered traditional rulers to encourage their subjects to fulfil their civic responsibilities by paying their taxes and levies. This is key to funding our local development priorities.”
Presenting key highlights of the 2026 composite budget, Bukari Basi, the Municipal Budget Analyst, said the hearing was held in line with Section 42(c) of the Local Governance Act, Act 936, 2026, to ensure citizen participation, transparency, and accountability in local governance.
On the economic outlook, Basi highlighted that the Municipality remains largely agrarian, but continues to grapple with challenges such as poor roads, post-harvest losses, falling education standards, open defecation, and inadequate health personnel.
The 2025 fiscal performance showed a total revenue of GH¢17.69 million as of September 2025, representing 66.6 per cent of the annual target, while total expenditure stood at GH¢9.52 million.
For the 2026 fiscal year, the Assembly earmarked GH¢45.1million in total expenditure, focusing on key development areas such as: Education and Youth development to be allocated GH¢2.24 million.
The health sector will get GH¢2.36m with agriculture and rural development GH¢1.76m and water and sanitation GH¢2.47m respectively.
Other Priority projects for 2026 include schools, health post and the construction of a 24-hour model market to boost the local economy at Bakwala, Kulfuo-Firiwa and Sumborun.
Basi said the Assembly’s focus for 2026 will be on strengthening domestic resource mobilization, ensuring participatory governance, and improving access to essential social services to enhance the quality of life for all residents of the municipality.
Among the major projects completed in 2025 were the construction of two market stalls at Wuru and Nabugubelle, a 100-seater lecture hall at Tumu, a culvert bridge at Bechemboi, and mechanized boreholes at Bugubelle, Dangi, and a mini police post at Nabulo.
The rest were furnishing of the Tumu Youth Centre, organization of inter-community cultural and dance competitions under the World Bank’s Social Cohesion (SOCO) project.