Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Minority Chief Whip, states that once the 2025 DACF Guidelines were released, he “exposed” constitutional problems and financial malfeasance in the NDC administration.
At a thorough press conference, he contended that the new rules are in direct opposition to the formula that Parliament has adopted under Article 252 of the 1992 Constitution.
He clarified that in order to guarantee equitable distribution across 261 MMDAs, the parliamentary methodology is based on empirical indicators such equality components, needs-based elements, and service pressure data.
However, Annoh-Dompreh claims that the ministerial instructions impose national percentages that are set for specific projects that are not part of the approved formula.
He characterised the action as constitutionally dubious, saying, “This is not interpretation; this is substitution.”
He also mentioned a “disturbing disparity” between transfers to other statutory sources and DACF payouts.
Significant payments have helped GETFund and the National Health Insurance Fund, although DACF allocations still experience delays and arrears.
DACF is not regarded as secondary by the Constitution. He underlined that it is ingrained, safeguarded, and required.
The Supreme Court’s 2019 decision in Benjamin Komla Kpodo & Richard Quashigah v. Attorney-General, which states that DACF allocations cannot drop below 5% of total national revenue, was another source that Annoh-Dompreh cited. He pointed out that any divergence is equivalent to non-compliance.
“We cannot preach decentralisation and practise fiscal centralisation,” he stated.
He urged for rapid corrective action, including a binding automatic calculating system to enforce the constitutional 5% minimum.
The Minority Chief Whip vowed to maintain oversight.
“When executive action drifts beyond constitutional boundaries, it is our duty to expose it. Accountability is not optional; it is the lifeblood of our democracy,” he stated.
Source: newsthemegh.com