Minority accuses gov’t of unconstitutional ‘parallel’ DACF formula

The Minority caucus 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).

Addressing a press conference, Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh argued that the newly issued ministerial guidelines effectively override Parliament’s constitutionally approved formula for allocating funds to the 261 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

He maintained that the Parliamentary formula is not politically driven but rather based on empirical data, factoring in indicators such as social needs, education, healthcare, and equitable development considerations.

According to him, although Parliament approved the 2025 DACF formula using what he described as a scientifically grounded, equity-based model, the Minister’s subsequent guidelines have introduced fixed expenditure percentages not captured in the approved framework.

The directive, he said, allocates 25 percent to the 24-Hour Economy Market initiative; 10 percent each for CHPS compounds, school blocks, boreholes, and sanitation projects; 5 percent for administration; and 20 percent for legacy projects.

Annoh-Dompreh contended that these allocations are rigid and lack any constitutional backing under the Parliamentary formula. He argued that Article 252 of the Constitution clearly vests authority in Parliament alone to determine the DACF distribution formula, and that the Minister does not have the legal mandate to assign new percentages or alter the approved framework.

He described the move as an overreach by the executive, insisting that it amounts to redesigning the formula rather than merely providing administrative guidance.

The Minority is therefore demanding the immediate withdrawal of the ministerial guidelines, stating that any modification to the DACF formula must be processed through Parliament in accordance with constitutional requirements.