The Minority in Parliament has accused the government of violating the 1992 Constitution by introducing what it describes as an unlawful parallel formula for distributing the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF).
Speaking at a press conference, Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh said the government’s new ministerial guidelines override Parliament’s constitutionally approved formula for sharing funds among the 261 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
“The authority to determine the formula for the DACF rests solely with Parliament under Article 252 of the Constitution. It is neither symbolic nor advisory; it is binding,” Annoh-Dompreh said.
He explained that Parliament’s 2025 DACF formula was based on a scientifically grounded, equity-driven model that considers social needs, education, healthcare, and equitable development. In contrast, the Minister’s directive introduces fixed expenditure allocations, including 25% for the 24-Hour Economy Market initiative, 10% each for CHPS compounds, school blocks, boreholes, and sanitation projects, 5% for administration, and 20% for legacy projects.
“These percentages are rigid and have no basis in the Parliamentary formula,” he said. “The law does not empower the Minister to assign new percentages or override Parliament’s authority.”
Annoh-Dompreh said the new guidelines effectively create a parallel allocation system that imposes new mandatory categories and national priorities, which, according to the Minority, is unconstitutional.
“The executive has stepped beyond guidance into redesign, and that by every constitutional law is ultra vires,” he added.
The Minority is calling on the government to respect Parliament’s authority and ensure that allocations from the DACF adhere strictly to the approved formula.
Source: asaaseradio.com
