The Minority in Ghana’s Parliament has accused the government of covering up the misappropriation of 3.5 billion Ghana Cedis from the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) between 2018 and 2022. This accusation follows the release of an Auditor General’s report that highlights significant unpaid funds intended for local development projects. In response to the findings, Parliament recommended that these arrears, once paid, should be used to revive the defunct District Road Improvement Program (DRIP), a key initiative aimed at improving the country’s road infrastructure.
The Auditor General’s report revealed several critical issues concerning the management of the DACF over the four-year period among them included;
Firstly, the nonpayment 3.5 billion Ghana Cedis allocated to the DACF was never disbursed, leading to a severe shortage of funds for district assemblies responsible for local development.
Also , the non-disbursement of these funds has had a detrimental impact on development projects across the country, affecting infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other essential services that rely on DACF funding.
The government has acknowledged the concerns raised by the Auditor General’s report but has denied any deliberate misappropriation of funds. They attribute the unpaid allocations to, economic challenges caused by the implementation of Free SHS and post COVID challenges which includes economic difficulties and revenue shortfalls that have constrained the national budget and affected fund allocations.
The Minority in Parliament has strongly criticized the government’s handling of the DACF, accusing them of intentionally covering up the misappropriation of funds. They argue that the government’s explanations are insufficient and demand immediate corrective action.
1. The Minority insists on a thorough investigation into the alleged misappropriation which the delay in disbursement of the funds, urging the government to hold those responsible accountable.
2. “We demand increased transparency in managing public funds, particularly the DACF, to prevent future occurrences of financial mismanagement.”
3. The Minority urges the government to expedite the process of releasing the unpaid funds to ensure district assemblies can carry out their planned development projects.
Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, the deputy minority whip and MP for Banda in making reference to the minority’s press release, in an interview with Kwame Nkrumah Tikɛseɛ on okay FM asserted that, “The misappropriation of 3.5 billion Ghana Cedis from the DACF is a betrayal of the trust placed in the government to manage public resources responsibly. This cover-up must be exposed, and those responsible must face the consequences of their actions. We call on the government to release these funds immediately and use them to revive critical projects like DRIP, which are vital for our nation’s development.”
In response to the Auditor General’s report, Parliament recommended that the unpaid DACF arrears be used to revive the District Road Improvement Program (DRIP), a previously active initiative that aimed to improve road infrastructure across Ghana.
Parliament has emphasized the importance of reviving DRIP, arguing that improved road infrastructure is critical for national development. They believe that using the recovered DACF funds for this purpose will ensure that resources are allocated to projects with significant long-term benefits for communities across the country.
The president during the ceremony to disbursed the road equipment said “The revival of the District Road Improvement Program is a strategic move to address the pressing infrastructure needs of our nation. By strategic utilization of funds to invest in road development, we can make a tangible impact on local economies and improve the quality of life for all Ghanaians.”
This remarks by the president of the land, ignited the anger and dissatisfaction among the minority in party, whiles the furiously argue that, the current government’s cruelty towards the MMDAs is the reason for no show development.
Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim further stated that they will probe into the procurement processes particularly the amount involved in the process to ensure value for money.
The minority’s allegations of government’s misappropriation of 3.5 billion Ghana Cedis since 2018 through to 2022 fiscal years from the District Assemblies Common Fund have sparked a heated debate about financial management and accountability in Ghana. While the government and the Minority continue to argue over the facts, the real challenge lies in addressing the underlying issues of transparency and efficient fund management.
“The proposed revival of the District Road Improvement Program using the recovered funds represents an opportunity to redirect resources towards meaningful development projects that benefit communities nationwide and parliament must be commended for that, the deputy minority whip further stated.”
