The Minority in Parliament has questioned the non-payment of key statutory funds nearly six months into President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.
The delay in the payment, the Minority pointed out, is unlawful and a hindrance to local governance and provision of essential services.
Addressing a news conference in Parliament yesterday, the Minority Chief Whip, Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh, accused the government of flouting provisions of the Local Governance Act and other statutory obligations by failing to release the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), GETFund, National Health Insurance Fund, and other constitutionally mandated disbursements.
“It is surprising that for all these almost six months, out of the allocation of 7.7 billion [cedis], not even a penny has gone to the assemblies.
“First of all, it is in breach of Act 936 of the Local Governance Act. You also do know there has been a court ruling that these payments should be done quarterly,” the Minority Chief Whip stated.
Mr. Annoh-Dompreh who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, cited specific allocations to the statutory funds in the 2025 budget.
He pointed out that the item 388 allocated over GH¢7.5 billion to the DACF, yet the Assemblies remain starved of funds.
“The whole of this year, not even a penny has been paid,” he emphasised.
According to Mr. Annoh-Dompreh, the newly appointed Common Fund Administrator is “sitting idle.”
He confirmed that checks at the fund secretariat and other relevant institutions proved no releases had been made.
Apart from the DACF, Mr. Annoh-Dompreh expressed worry about government’s failure to release funds allocated to other critical statutory bodies.
“There is also the Health Fund—specifically the NHIA. An allocation of some GH¢9.92 billion was made. My check tells me no amount has been paid.
“Then there’s GETFund. A GH¢4.1 billion allocation was made. Again, nothing has been paid.”
Parliament, too, has not received its second-quarter releases.
“Even before we started this press conference, I checked on accounts. Nothing has been paid,” he added.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh served notice that the Minority will remain silent as these violations persist, emphasising that these statutory funds are “the oxygen” for assemblies to function.
“You cannot cite any reason as a defence. You can’t say that because we have not confirmed DCEs, therefore Coordinating Directors or Regional Ministers cannot act. We do not understand.
“It’s mandatory. It’s backed by law,” he added.
The Minority Chief Whip criticised the Minister for Finance Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson for the non-payment of the statutory funds, saying the least he can do is ensure the laws are respected.
“Everybody’s pointing fingers at the Finance Minister. The framers of our laws in their wisdom tagged these payments as statutory because they relate to basic necessities of life—health, education, local governance,” he said. “And once they are statutory, they must be respected.”
High public burden amid rising taxes
Mr Annoh-Dompreh expressed bewilderment at the government’s inability to meet its financial obligations despite introducing a raft of tax measures.
“Don’t forget, the Growth and Sustainability Levy was increased from 1% to 3%. VAT on non-life insurance has also been increased.
“You’ve introduced taxes, you’ve collected these taxes, and yet you are flouting the statutory payments the law mandates you to pay,” Mr Annoh-Dompreh.
He accused the Mahama-led administration of deliberately holding back on expenditure to create an artificial impression of sound fiscal management.
“Is it the case that we want the books to look good, the cedi to look strong, and therefore we won’t spend?
“I find this very unfortunate. We are sounding a note of caution.”
Broader implications
Mr Annoh-Dompreh stressed the real-life impact of the government’s inaction, saying the delay is undermining services for the vulnerable.
“Persons with disabilities, poverty reduction, boreholes, support to farmers, needy but brilliant children—these are what the common fund supports.
“The effect is broad, far-reaching, and grinding.”
Mr Annoh-Dompreh also raised concerns over the non-payment of the Social Investment Fund (SIF), another statutory allocation meant to bolster social welfare initiatives at the district level.
“Not even a penny has been paid. And I challenge them. The provisions, the allocated funds, are all in the budget,” he asserted.
The Evil of First Year Governance
Mr Annoh-Dompreh noted that the government is taking advantage of the initial goodwill granted it by the public.
“They are doing all the evil things in their first year while they still enjoy goodwill.
“But statutory payments cannot be categorized as one of your evil deeds.”
“This cannot be entertained,” he warned. “We will continue to speak to the issues and raise the concerns. It’s about the welfare of our people. It’s about the breach of our laws. And it’s not for nothing that these laws were passed—they are passed to be respected,” Mr Annoh-Dompreh concluded.
