DACF Scandal: 1,587 Projects Found Non-Existent
The Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), Michael Harry Yamson, has revealed that 1,587 out of 4,767 projects traced under the fund across Ghana have been found not to exist.
According to Mr Yamson, the discovery was made during a recent nationwide project-tracing exercise aimed at verifying developments financed through the Common Fund.
He said the non-existent projects were undertaken under the previous administration, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
Mr Yamson described the situation as unacceptable, stressing that every cedi allocated through the DACF must result in visible and verifiable development projects that directly benefit communities.
He made the disclosure at the opening of a meeting with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Volta Region at Dzolo-Kpuita in the Ho West District.
The DACF administrator said steps had been introduced to strengthen transparency and accountability in the management of the fund.
He explained that the reforms are aimed at ensuring that the Common Fund achieves its core objectives of promoting equitable development, improving livelihoods, stimulating economic growth and strengthening decentralised governance.
Mr Yamson urged local authorities to ensure that funds received are properly utilised and linked to projects that can be tracked and assessed by residents.
Mr Yamson also encouraged assemblies to intensify efforts to mobilise Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to expand their financial capacity and reduce overdependence on central government transfers.
He noted that although 80 per cent of DACF allocations had been released, assemblies must complement these resources with stronger revenue mobilisation strategies to improve service delivery.
“We can no longer depend solely on central transfers, and any resources available to the assemblies must be optimised through the use of technology,” he said.
The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, urged assemblies in the region to use their Common Fund allocations responsibly to promote local economic growth.
He said the release of 80 per cent of the fund provided no justification for delays in executing development projects.
Mr Gunu encouraged assemblies to adopt innovative approaches to create jobs, strengthen local economies and collaborate with non-governmental organisations to attract additional development resources.
The District Chief Executive for Ho West, Professor Francis Duse, said the increased release of the Common Fund would support critical infrastructure projects, improve education and enhance inclusive programmes for persons with disabilities.
He added that the district’s agricultural and tourism potential could be leveraged to drive economic transformation.
The meeting also discussed issues relating to DACF allocations and strategies to improve the impact of the fund at the local government level.
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