Deputy Ranking Member on the Local Government and Rural Development Committee, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has defended the government’s allocation of 80% of the GH¢987 million District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) to Members of Parliament, describing the move as lawful and consistent with past practices.
Speaking to ABC News GH on Wednesday afternoon, the MP stated, “There is nothing illegal about this,” adding that the disbursement follows clearly defined instructions.
Mr. Acquah’s comments come in response to criticism from the President of the Chamber of Local Governance, Dr. Richard Fiadomor, who earlier described the allocation as illegal.
According to Dr. Fiadomor, MPs are not part of the District Assembly structure and should not control funds intended for local governance.
However, Acquah countered, “I do not think that this allocation is different from what has been experienced before,” emphasizing that the funds are earmarked for specific developmental purposes and aligned with the decentralisation agenda outlined by President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.
