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MMDAs receive GH¢9.1bn in DACF transfers under Mahama gov’t – Mahama Ayariga

Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) have received GH¢9.1 billion in statutory funding since the Mahama administration assumed office, Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister Mahama Ayariga has disclosed.

The amount represents six quarters of allocations under the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), a major source of funding for development activities at the local government level.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series at Jubilee House on Monday, October 5, Mr. Ayariga said the transfers were intended to give assemblies the financial capacity to execute development projects and improve services in their respective communities.

“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’s approach is guided by the principle that financial resources must accompany responsibilities assigned to local authorities.

He further announced that the government is targeting the direct disbursement of at least 88% of DACF resources to MMDAs.

According to Mr Ayariga, increasing the flow of resources to the district level is critical to deepening decentralisation and ensuring that local authorities can respond effectively to the needs of their communities.

The DACF was established under Ghana’s decentralisation framework to provide assemblies with financial resources for development and the performance of functions assigned to them.

Mr. Ayariga said the latest transfers are expected to support socio-economic infrastructure, improve living conditions and stimulate economic activity within districts across the country.

The disclosure comes as the government places renewed emphasis on strengthening local governance and ensuring that resources are available at the level where development needs are most directly experienced.