The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has announced that the government has released GH¢9.1 billion to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) through the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) since assuming office.
The amount covers six quarters of DACF allocations and is intended to strengthen local government financing and enable assemblies to provide essential infrastructure and services.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series at Jubilee House on Monday, October 5, Mr Ayariga said the transfers reflect the government’s commitment to decentralisation and the principle that financial resources must accompany responsibilities assigned to local authorities.
“The Ministry has facilitated the transfer of total amount of GH¢9.1 billion, six quarters of the DACF, to MMDAs for the provision of socio-economic infrastructure and improved living conditions for the Ghanaian people,” he said.
The Minister said the government is also committed to ensuring that at least 88% of DACF resources are channelled directly to MMDAs.
According to him, strengthening the financial capacity of assemblies is critical to improving development at the district level and stimulating local economic activity.
The DACF is a statutory funding mechanism established to provide financial resources to local assemblies for development projects and other responsibilities. Its allocations are therefore central to Ghana’s decentralisation system.
Mr. Ayariga said the increased flow of funds to the local level is expected to support infrastructure development and improve living conditions in communities across the country.
