The Minority Caucus in Parliament has issued a stern warning to the government over what it describes as persistent constitutional breaches in the management of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF).
Speaking at a press briefing in Parliament on Wednesday, Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh declared that the Minority would resist any attempt to undermine Parliament’s authority over public finance and decentralised development.
He accused the Executive of imposing unlawful directives on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) through the 2025 DACF Guidelines, insisting that such actions threaten democratic governance in Ghana.
“We will not be silent when the Constitution is being violated. Silence would amount to betrayal of our democracy,” Mr. Annoh-Dompreh stated.
According to the Minority Chief Whip, Article 252 of the 1992 Constitution grants Parliament exclusive authority to determine how the Common Fund is shared.
However, he argued that the 2025 Guidelines issued by the Ministry of Local Government introduce new spending priorities and fixed percentages that were never approved by Parliament.
“What we are witnessing is not guidance. It is a redesign of the allocation system, and that is unconstitutional,” he said.
The Minority insists that such actions amount to executive overreach and weaken Parliament’s supervisory role.
Mr. Annoh-Dompreh explained that Parliament’s approved formula for 2025 is based on empirical data and equity principles but in contrast, the Ministerial Guidelines prescribe fixed allocations for markets, schools, health facilities, sanitation, and administration.
“Uniform spending templates ignore local realities. They punish deprived districts and reward inequality,” he warned.
The Minority Whip warned that current DACF framework is harming local governance by forcing Assemblies to implement centrally determined projects instead of pursuing their development plans while the conflicting directives from Parliament and the Ministry are creating delays and exposing public officers to legal risks.
Poor and underserved communities, he said, are losing their constitutional advantage under the needs-based formula while blurred roles between legislators and administrators weaken transparency in fund utilisation.
Beyond policy concerns, the Minority also raised serious issues about DACF arrears and delayed disbursements.
Mr. Annoh-Dompreh noted that despite constitutional requirements for at least 5% of national revenue to be allocated to the Fund, actual transfers in recent years have fallen far below this benchmark.
“The 5% rule is not optional. It is a constitutional command,” he stressed.
He revealed that billions of cedis in outstanding payments continue to affect district-level projects nationwide. He linked DACF arrears to worsening development outcomes across districts.
“When funds are delayed, communities pay the price. Development is frozen, and confidence is lost,” Mr. Annoh-Dompreh said.
To address the crisis, the Minority Caucus proposed several reforms:
1. Immediate Review of Guidelines
Withdrawal or amendment of the 2025 directives to align with Parliament’s formula.
2. Automatic DACF Transfers
Embedding DACF calculations into the budget system to prevent political interference.
3. Structured Arrears Settlement
Independent audits and phased repayment plans for outstanding debts.
4. Enhanced Parliamentary Oversight
Mandatory quarterly reporting on revenue inflows and DACF releases.
5. Transparency Measures
Public disclosure of DACF transfers and outstanding balances.
Mr. Annoh-Dompreh reaffirmed the Minority’s commitment to safeguarding democratic principles and pledged the Minority will work with civil society and the media to ensure sustained scrutiny of public finance management.
