The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) for New Juaben South, Ransford Owusu Boakye, has suggested that concerns about alleged misuse of funds by some Members of Parliament may be driving IMANI Africa’s calls to end the direct allocation of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to MPs.
IMANI Africa recently released a policy brief calling for the discontinuation of the practice of allocating a portion of the DACF to MPs, arguing that the funds should be channeled entirely to District Assemblies for local development.
Reacting to the proposal in an interview on Bryt Adekyee Mu Nsem with Kwamina Sam Biney, Ransford Owusu Boakye said he does not see anything fundamentally wrong with MPs receiving part of the fund to support development projects in their constituencies.
“I don’t see anything wrong with us doing something for the MPs,” he stated. “The money is to be used for development, so it’s not that hard to give MPs money for some development.”
However, the MCE acknowledged that reports of alleged misuse of the funds by some lawmakers may have triggered the growing concerns.
“The way some of the MPs use the money is what’s maybe bringing up this concern,” he explained. “As they are saying, investigations indicate that some MPs misuse the money given to them for development.”
According to him, MPs are expected to outline the purpose for which the funds will be used, but the level of discretion they exercise can create room for abuse.
“They have the description of what they want to use the money for with them, so they can choose to use the money for anything or even give it out to their people to spend, and that’s what makes it a little bit scary,” he added.
He emphasized that while development at the constituency level remains critical, transparency and proper monitoring are essential to ensure public funds are used appropriately.
His comments come amid renewed debate over the management of the DACF and whether reforms are needed to strengthen accountability in the use of funds meant for grassroots development.
Tamara Owusu Ansah
