Government diverting DACF to finance NABCo – Deputy Minority Chief Whip

The Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, has alleged that the Akufo Addo government has directed that all developmental projects at the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies be halted with with money meant for such projects, now being diverted to finance the government’s social intervention programs such as the Nations Builders Corps.

“I am telling you in plain language that the government has met all District Assemblies Coordinating Directors, District Finance Officers and District Chief Executives in Kumasi and told them not to use the District Assemblies Common Fund for developmental projects,” he alleged in an interview with Accra-based Okay FM, Wednesday, April 2, 2018.

He was reacting to claims by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) that it has employed 1,096,404 people ever since it took power from the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Hon. Ibrahim, who is the NDC Member of Parliament for Banda Constituency said he finds the directive of the government so outrageous, wondering how artisans and other skilled men and women at the various districts going to survive.

Per the directive of the government, only 20% of the District Assemblies Common Fund is to be used for administration and development.

That means an Assembly which gets GH?1million annually from the District Assemblies Common Fund, only GH?200,000 is to be used for developmental projects and administrative purposes with the remaining GH?800,000 expected to be used in paying financing the School Feeding Program, Planting for Food and Jobs and the Nations Builders Corps.

This, Hon. Ibrahim contends, does not augur well for a nation which has a vision to be totally independent and not to rely on aid for its survival.

“The government is now creating a consumption economy. So what does the future hold for us when the government is now using money meant to build CHPS compounds, Schools, hospitals, polyclinics and others for School Feeding Program, Planting for Food and Jobs and Nations Builders Corps?

During our time, we had separate money to finance the School Feeding Program and others. That is why we did not touch the District Assemblies Common Fund and ensured that there is development at the district level. With the new directive, it means the work of all the masons and carpenters who have been working on government projects, has come to an end,” he noted.