Govt will ensure timely release of DACF — Ahmed Ibrahim

The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has given a firm assurance that the necessary measures are being put in place to ensure the timely release of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) for the efficient functioning of local assemblies.

Mr Ibrahim said unlike what pertained in the previous regime where DACF was unduly delayed, the current government was focused on removing the bureaucratic systems that hindered the receipt of money due Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

“When a government fails to release the DACF on a timely basis for local assemblies to function properly, that government becomes unpopular and is to be punished,” he stressed.

The Banda Member of Parliament (MP) added that as part of measures to make MMDAs financially strong, the government had started the process to remove the cap on the DACF and other statutory funds that took away a chunk of funds that should go to the local assemblies.

“The President has brought back what used to be called the Capping Fund that saw the DACF, GETFund and other statutory funds being capped and those monies used for running the development authorities.

This concept of development authorities led to the centralisation of funds meant for the 216 MMDAs,” he said.

Meeting

Mr Ibrahim stated that when the Local Governance Network (LOGNET) paid a courtesy call on him last Thursday.

LOGNET is a network of civil society organisations (CSOs) and non-governmental organisations working to promote local governance in the country.

The network also advocates the implementation of inclusive governance initiatives, including the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

The meeting was meant to officially congratulate the minister on his appointment and to indicate their commitment to working closely with him to promote local governance and sustainable development.
 

Structural reforms

Touching further on the reforms in the local governance space, the minister said all the three development authorities that were created as standalone entities for the coastal, middle and northern zones had been subsumed into the Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Ministry.

He also said the Zongo Development and Sanitation ministries were also now part of the Local Government ministry, with the ultimate goal of consolidating efforts for effective participation of all stakeholders in the decentralisation process.

MMDCE’s election

The minister also said as a measure to ensure participation in local governance, the government was keen on fulfilling legal procedures for the election of MMDCEs.

He said there would be the need to review the constitution to allow for the election of the MMDCEs, “and the President has already constituted the Constitution Review Committee”.

“This sends a signal that he wants to complete it and get it done by the close of his tenure,” he said.

He also promised to adopt a participatory governance approach to help deepen local participation in the democratic process.