The Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, has spearheaded the annual monitoring mission under the District Assemblies Common Fund Responsive Factor Grant (DACF-RFG) in the Volta Region.
The exercise is aimed at evaluating how the release of more than 80 percent of statutory DACF allocations is influencing project delivery across Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
The monitoring forms part of the programme’s yearly accountability process, which tracks institutional performance, enforces compliance standards and ensures public funds are translated into visible development outcomes.
Carried out in partnership with the German Development Bank (KfW), the mission examined governance structures, financial management systems and service delivery performance using the District Performance Assessment Tool.
The framework ties access to funding to clearly defined institutional benchmarks.
At the Afadzato South District Assembly, Mrs. Sowah held an entrance conference with District Chief Executive James Etornam Flolu, the Coordinating Director and heads of department.
The team reviewed project documentation, procurement processes and financial records to assess compliance with DACF-RFG operational guidelines.
Assembly officials indicated that in previous years, project execution had been slowed by irregular cash flow.
They noted, however, that the timely release of over 80 percent of statutory Common Fund allocations in 2025 has improved fiscal predictability and strengthened planning capacity.
The improved funding flow, they said, has supported smoother implementation of priority infrastructure and essential services.
Mrs. Sowah underscored the need for strong internal controls and transparent systems to complement enhanced fiscal transfers.
She urged Assemblies to intensify efforts to boost internally generated funds, deepen stakeholder engagement and sustain accountability mechanisms.
Key issues raised during the discussions included gaps in water infrastructure, telecommunication challenges, with steps underway to facilitate the installation of a network mast, poor road networks affecting tourism and agricultural trade, and the need to improve market access for local producers.
Reaffirming government’s commitment to decentralisation, the Deputy Minister said improved fund releases, combined with performance-based oversight, are designed to build institutional capacity and ensure that increased financial resources deliver measurable impact at the community level.
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