News:
November 11, 2019
First Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu has directed that the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta and the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) Administrator Irene Naa Torshie appear before the committee of the whole on Tuesday 12th of November 2019.
According to the First Deputy Speaker, the two officials are to meet Parliaments committee of the whole to address controversies around whether the third quarter of DACF 2018 and second quarter of 2019 had been paid.
This came to light on the floor of the House on Friday 8th of November 2019 when the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram raised the issue on the floor, pointing out that Assemblies are facing issues with the indebtedness of third quarter of last year and second quarter of this year.
He argued on the floor that the issues should be addressed before next year’s budget is presented on the floor of the House on Wednesday the 13th of November 2019.
The Second Deputy Minority Whip, Ibrahim Ahmed supported the call that the DACF administrator alone should not be invited to the House but rather the Finance Minister should be added to settle the issues of indebtedness.
“We need the true figures of indebtedness of the DACF and end the controversy where Deputy Minister go on road to say they have paid but does not reflect in the Assemblies”.
Majority Leader who was presenting the Business Statement for this week when the issue came up noted that the DACF for the second quarter of this year has been paid.
He again added that, third quarter for 2018 would be paid this week because the necessary effects had been carried out.
“For the third quarter the time is not up to yet, it is from this time up to the end of December this year, let us wait until that time, no one can say the third quarter of this year is indebtedness”.
Mr. Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu noted that despite the assurance that he has given if members are still not convinced and want the Administrator of DACF invited that would be done Tuesday after adjournment.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanadistricts.com