Some Assemblies misusing disability fund – Parliamentary Caucus demands accountability

The Parliamentary Caucus on Persons with Disabilities has raised concerns over delays in the release of the Disability Fund and alleged instances of some District Assemblies using the funds for purposes other than those intended.

The concerns are contained in a report following a two-day stakeholder workshop organised by the Caucus from August 1 to 2, 2026, to assess the implementation of disability-related policies and programmes at the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly (MMDA) level.

Under the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) formula, five percent of the Common Fund allocation to each MMDA is earmarked for the Disability Fund.

According to the report, the Fund has supported persons with disabilities through educational assistance, healthcare, vocational training, assistive devices, and livelihood interventions.

However, the report, signed by the Chairman of the Parliamentary Caucus on Persons with Disabilities, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, identified delays in the release of funds, inconsistencies in administration, weak monitoring and accountability mechanisms, and disparities in the management of the Fund across assemblies.

The report stated, “It was also brought to the fore that some district assemblies continue to use moneys from the Disability Fund for other purposes contrary to its intended purpose.”

The Caucus also expressed concern over the failure of most MMDAs to regularly update and maintain disability registers as required under the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715).

It said the situation affects the availability of accurate data needed for effective planning, beneficiary identification, resource allocation and delivery of disability-related programmes.

The report further noted that weak monitoring and accountability mechanisms in some assemblies make it difficult to assess the impact of the Fund and ensure that resources are used for their intended purposes.

To address the challenges, the Caucus recommended harmonised operational guidelines for the administration of the Disability Fund across all MMDAs.

It also called for greater transparency, regular reporting and stronger oversight to improve the efficiency and credibility of the Fund.