Local Government Committee Expose Dan Botwe Over Sideline Cry 

The Committee of Local Government and Rural Developmenta has shot down claims of sideline and lack of cooperation by Dan Kweku Botwe, the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development.

According to the Committee, Irene Naa Torshie, the Administrator of the Districts Assemblies Common Fund has under no circumstances snubbed the Minister.

The Committee at a news conference in Accra on Tuesday vehemently backed and absorbed the DACF Administrator of any blame, rather urging Mr. Botwe to timeously respond to request for inputs in the preparation of the District Assemblies Common Fund formula.

Read full statement below 

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

ADDRESSING CONCERNS ON THE DISTRICT ASSEMBLIES COMMON FUND DISBURSEMENT 

Accra, [1st August, 2023] – Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen of the press, the Committee of Local Government and Rural Development has called you this afternoon to address the concerns raised in recent media reports regarding the disbursement of the District Assemblies Common Fund. We recognize the importance of transparency and accountability in our decentralization system and wish to set the records straight on this matter.

The reports in question accused the Common Fund Administrator, Irene Naa Torshie Addo, of snubbing the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Honourable Dan Botwe, and disbursing the Common Fund without involving the ministry. After conducting a thorough investigation, the Committee has gathered the following details:

1. On 8th March 2022, the Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund sent a letter to the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, requesting inputs for the preparation of the 2022 District Assemblies Common Fund formula.

1. On 28th March 2022, the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Honourable Collins Ntim, responded to the District Assemblies Common Fund’s letter on behalf of the Minister with the requested inputs.

1. On 30th March 2022, the Deputy Minister, Honourable Collins Ntim, subsequently wrote to the District Assemblies Common Fund to withdraw the letter.

1. On 3rd March 2023, the District Assemblies Common Fund sent another letter requesting inputs into the 2023 District Assemblies Common Fund formula from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. Unfortunately, the Minister failed to respond to this letter. 

1. It is important to note that, in accordance with Article 252 Clause 3, both the 2022 and 2023 District Assemblies Common Fund formulas were approved by Parliament together with the Deputy Ministers of Local Government and Rural Development, even though the Ministry did not respond to the request for inputs.

• It is expressly stated  under Article 252 as follows; 

1. There shall be a fund to be known as the District Assemblies Common Fund.
2. Subject to the provisions of this constitution, Parliament shall annually make provisions for the allocation of not less than five percent of the total revenues of Ghana to the District Assemblies for development; and the amount shall be paid into the District Assemblies Common Fund in quarterly instalments. 
3. The moneys accruing of the District Assemblies in the Common Fund shall be distributed among all the District Assemblies on the basis of a formula approved by Parliament.
4. There shall be appointed by the President with the approval of Parliament, a District Assemblies Common Fund Administrator.
5. Parliament shall by law prescribe the functions and tenure of the office of the Administrator in such a manner as will ensure the effective and equitable administration of the District Assemblies Common Fund. 

The Local Governance Act 2016, Act 936, Section 129 also states;

The Administrator shall

1. Propose a formula annually for the distribution of the Common Fund foe approval by Parliament;
2. Administer and distribute moneys paid into the Common Fund among the District Assemblies in accordance with the formula approved by Parliament;
3. Report in writing to Parliament on how allocations made from the Common Fund to the District Assemblies have been utilised by the District Assemblies; and
4. Perform any other functions that may be directed by the President. 

The administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund reports to Parliament and not the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development. So, the committee of Local Government did nothing wrong.

It will however be helpful if the minister will respond to the letters for inputs any time he is so requested to do so. 

1. Furthermore, on 3rd April 2023, the Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund wrote to the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to inform them of a visit by a team of officials to monitor the projects and programs funded by the Common Fund, scheduled from 25th April to 16th May 2023.

1. On 25th April 2023, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development wrote a letter to the MMDCEs asking them not to attend the visit..

Based on the above facts, it is evident that neither Parliament nor the Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund snubbed the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Dan Botwe, in the disbursement of the District Assemblies Common Fund.

The Committee of Local Government and Rural Development remains committed to upholding the principles of decentralization and ensuring that the Common Fund is utilized for the benefit of all citizens at the grassroots level.

We thank the media for their vigilance in reporting on matters of public interest.   

THANK YOU.  

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