The Minority in Parliament has raised concerns over the delayed disbursement of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF).
On Tuesday, June 3, Dr. Forson told Parliament that the government had released GH¢987 million to the DACF Secretariat for onward disbursement to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
However, after over a week, the Minority says no money has hit the accounts of the assemblies.
Deputy Minority Whip, Habib Iddrisu, speaking on the floor of Parliament on Friday, argued that the Finance Minister is yet to fulfil his promise.
“Your assemblies are crying, they are dry. Your DCEs are hiding; they are doing nothing in the assemblies,” he lamented.
“Even the MPs, you can ask your colleagues on the majority side, when they go to their constituencies, there is nothing. Your Minister of Finance will come and promise us that he has released money, meanwhile, there is nothing at the assemblies, and that’s not how it is done,” he stressed.
He added that he had verified with several assemblies across the country, and none had received any funds, pointing specifically to the Tamale Metropolis, which he said had not received any disbursement for the past six months.
“What will they use to manage their assembly? You appoint people, and yet you cannot provide them with the necessary funding for them to be able to run. So Mr Speaker, with respect, the majority leader must make a follow-up and let us know exactly when the monies will hit the assembly for them to start work,” he stated.
Responding to the concerns, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, assured that he has seen official correspondence confirming the release of the funds to the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department.