Parliamentary committee questions delay in release of PWD funds

The Chairperson of Parliament’s Select Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mrs Queenster Pokuah Sawyerr, has expressed concern over the failure of some Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to disburse funds from the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) meant for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

She said the funds were intended to support the livelihoods of PWDs and should be released promptly to enable beneficiaries to engage in trade, business and other income-generating activities.

Mrs Sawyerr indicated that many assemblies in the Eastern Region had yet to release the funds, despite having received them.

“Every district so far in the Eastern Region has some monies sitting in its accounts, and I don’t know why. These funds should be disbursed to the beneficiaries,” she stated.

She made the remarks last Friday during a capacity-building and monitoring exercise organised by the committee in Koforidua.

Mrs Sawyerr disclosed that some assemblies with irregularities in the management and accounting of the DACF had been directed to appear before the committee within the next one or two weeks to address concerns relating to the fund and other governance issues.

She expressed the hope that Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) would comply with the directive to enable Parliament to support the assemblies in effectively carrying out their development mandate.

The committee, she mentioned, had also identified discrepancies in DACF allocations to various assemblies.

 She cited instances where some assemblies received about GH¢500,000, while others received close to GH¢20 million, noting that the committee would investigate the differences and make recommendations where necessary.

Touching on development challenges in the Eastern Region, Mrs Sawyerr observed that despite its abundant natural resources, agricultural potential and expanding urban centres, the region continued to face pressures from population growth, infrastructure deficits, environmental concerns and poor sanitation, which had contributed to flooding in some communities.

She gave an assurance that desilting equipment would be deployed to clear gutters and drainage systems in order to reduce flooding.

Moreover, Mrs Sawyerr acknowledged the poor road network in parts of the region, stating that the committee had taken note of the affected areas and would engage the Minister of Roads and Highways to explore solutions.

The Deputy Ranking Member of the committee, Mr Alexander Akwasi Acquah, also criticised the retention of funds meant for PWDs by some assemblies.

He explained that the committee’s visit formed part of Parliament’s oversight responsibility to assess the performance of local authorities, as well as review audit reports and governance practices.

Mr Acquah said local government remained the most effective form of governance, as it brought development closer to the people and deepened decentralisation.

For her part, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mrs Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, underscored the importance of local governance in promoting grassroots development and delivering government policies directly to citizens.

FROM AMA TEKYIWAA AMPADU-AGYEMAN, KOFORIDUA

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