Minority raise concerns over delayed disbursement of common funds – Nsemkeka
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has expressed concerns over the alleged delay in disbursing common funds to local assemblies.
On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson announced on the Floor of Parliament that GH¢987 million had been released to the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF).
However, reacting to the alleged delay during Friday proceedings in the House, Mr. Habib Iddrisu, the Deputy Minority Whip, lamented the operational challenges faced by local assemblies.
He said: “Your assemblies are crying, they are dry, they are hiding, they are doing nothing… The Minister of Finance will come and promise that he has released money. Meanwhile, there is nothing at the assembly. No assembly has been given one Kobo.”
Mr. Iddrisu, also the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Tolon, questioned how Assemblies were expected to function without necessary funds, saying, “Mr. Speaker, what will they use to manage the Assembly? You appoint people, and yet you cannot provide them with the necessary funds for them to work.”
He, therefore, urged Mr. Mahama Ayariga, the Majority Leader, to follow up and give clarity on when funds would be released to the Assemblies.
In response, Mr. Mahama Ayariga, also the National Democratic Congress MP for Bawku Central, told the House that he had seen “official communication indicating the release of funds two weeks ago.”
“Mr. Speaker, I haven’t received the testimony of one Chief Executive that he has not received any funds. Now that it has been raised, I will follow up. But I saw the letter releasing the funds about two weeks ago,” he said.
The Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, further announced that the Mid-Year Budget Statement was expected to be presented to Parliament in July.
In 2023, former Minority Chief Whip Kwame Governs Agbodza, expressed similar concerns, stating that District Assemblies were impoverished and unable to carry out basic services due to delayed releases.