The Minority in Parliament has accused Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson of failing to transfer GH¢7.33 billion to the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF), describing the omission as a breach of Article 252 of the 1992 Constitution.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, February 25, Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh said the delayed payments are stalling development at the local level and called on President John Dramani Mahama to intervene.
He warned that legal action could follow if the arrears are not addressed.
“This is not a technical quarrel. This is not an administrative oversight. This is a constitutional issue… When this Fund is distorted, constrained, capped, or redirected outside the lawful authority of Parliament, it is not only the Assemblies that suffer. Our democracy suffers; our decentralization suffers,” he said.
The Minority highlighted that while the Constitution mandates that at least 5% of total national revenue be allocated to DACF, recent transfers have fallen far below this threshold.
According to the Minority, only 1.74% of revenue was transferred in 2021 and 2.39% in 2022, with the 2024 arrears alone totaling about GH¢7.33 billion.
Annoh-Dompreh stressed the real-world consequences; stalled infrastructure projects, unpaid contractors, and weakened local governance.
“The District Assemblies Common Fund is not merely another line item in the national budget. It is the constitutional heartbeat of decentralised development—a covenant between the State and the people of Ghana,” he added.
The Minority also criticised the discrepancy between DACF and other statutory funds, noting that the GETFund and NHIA received timely releases exceeding GH¢2 billion in early 2025, while DACF arrears persisted.
They called for immediate constitutional compliance, structured arrears settlement, and enhanced parliamentary oversight.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
