The Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has outlined plans to address delays in the disbursement of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF). 

These delays, he noted, have hindered local development across the country for years.

During his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, Mr Ibrahim highlighted how delayed releases of the DACF have affected successive administrations, referencing instances in 2014 and 2024 where third- and fourth-quarter payments were delayed.

“Whether you win or lose elections, you pay the price,” he said. “A government that wants to win elections must ensure District Chief Executives (DCEs) are resourced to work.”

Drawing from his eight years of experience on the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee, Mr Ibrahim pledged to work closely with the incoming Common Fund Administrator to ensure timely disbursements. He expressed confidence in leveraging this partnership to improve the situation.

In addressing the broader state of district assembly operations, the minister-designate announced plans to move away from the current centralised funding approach. “There is going to be a radical shift of mindset at the various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs),” he stated.

Challenging perceptions of inefficiency, Mr Ibrahim said, “I can build a whole district. You cannot have one building in a district and claim it cannot be maintained within the jurisdiction.”

To improve local governance, he proposed convening former ministers, including Joseph Yieleh Chireh, Kwamena Ahwoi, and Alima Mahama, to draw on their expertise for better policy direction.

Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, MP for South Dayi, who questioned Mr Ibrahim on the Common Fund, underscored the challenges faced by Ghana’s 261 districts due to irregular fund releases.