The Ministry of Finance on Tuesday, June 3 announced the transfer of GHS 987,965,073 into the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) account from the Consolidated Fund, aimed at enhancing infrastructure and service delivery at the local level.
A statement from the Ministry on Wednesday, June 4, noted that the funds must be allocated strictly in accordance with newly issued guidelines to ensure transparency, accountability, and impact in local governance.
Outlined in the guidelines, 25% of the transferred funds are to be used for the design and construction of 24-Hour Economy Model Markets in line with the government’s economic transformation agenda.
Each Assembly is also mandated to allocate:
1. 10% for the construction of health facilities, including a minimum of two CHPS compounds;
2. 10% for building educational infrastructure (one KG block, one primary school block, and one junior high school block);
3.10% for the provision of potable water, with a minimum of 10 boreholes earmarked for rural Assemblies;
4.10% for environmental sanitation efforts, including solid and liquid waste management;
5. 10% for the supply of school furniture;
6.5% for the administration of the Assemblies, covering monitoring and evaluation.
Significantly, the Ministry has directed Assemblies to prioritize the completion of abandoned and uncompleted projects initiated by the Middle Belt Development Authority, Coastal Development Authority, and the Northern Development Authority. These legacy projects have been left dormant across many districts, posing both developmental and financial concerns.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson emphasized the need for responsible management of public funds to accelerate local development and address the pressing needs of communities.
