A two-day conference of Regional Budget Officers’ to discuss the implementation of the Composite Budget System (CBS) opened in Koforidua on Thursday.

The conference is being organized on the theme, “Managing the implementation of the regional budget in the district assemblies- the challenges at the national, regional and district levels”.

It would also deliberate on government policies on financial matters in the country.

In his opening address, the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, noted that the theme for the conference was appropriate because of the subsequent transfer of 30,000 civil servants to the Local Government Service (LGS).

He said it also marked the commencement of full implementation of the Administration and Fiscal Decentralization and the beginning of the implementation of the CBS.

Mr Terlabi said the Regional Co-coordinating Councils, by the Local Government Law (Act 462), were responsible for coordinating, monitoring and evaluating programmes and projects of the ministries, departments and agencies, as well as assemblies in the region.

He said the conference would put more adrenalin in the regional budget officers to make significant contributions in their respective regions and also ensure that the composite budget works effectively as captured in the 2012 budget and economic policy of the country.

Mr Terlabi reiterated government’s commitment to implement the CBS this year, adding that, it was in view of that the government has put in place systems, procedures and measures as well as to upgrade the knowledge and skills of all players to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.

He urged the participants to ensure that all expenditures releases of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) were effected through the use of warrant.

Mr Terlabi also suggested that they compare the total expenditures against warrant releases to date and ascertain whether there were challenges in the implementation of the CBS and come out with possible solutions.**