The opposition National Democratic Congress has turned their attention towards Madam Irene Naa Torshie Addo, the overseer of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), for potential scrutiny in 2025 should they emerge victorious.
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Reliable insiders within the opposition party informed this platform that the lawyer and former MP’s time at the Fund will undergo “rigorous forensic investigation as soon as we come to power.”
Allegedly, certain whistleblowers have provided tips to the opposition regarding certain activities at the Common Fund that they believe warrant investigation. They assert that if anyone is found to be at fault, appropriate legal action should be taken.
No explicit accusations have been leveled against Naa Torshie. However, the opposition holds the belief that an investigation may reveal substantial grounds for prosecuting her.
The District Assemblies’ Common Fund (DACF) is a pool of resources created under Article 252 of the 1992 constitution of Ghana. Naa Torshie was named by Akufo-Addo to administer the fund early 2017 before her vetting and approval by parliament.
The NDC purportedly considers the DACF as a paramount focus for scrutiny in 2025. Reports suggest that some whistleblowing emerged from tensions between the former Sector for Local Government and Rural Development and the DACF head concerning the legality of fund distribution methods and oversight mechanisms.
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The Administrator of the District Assembly Common Fund, who serves as the sole manager of the Fund in this scenario, reportedly initiates and oversees projects and authorizes payments directly from the fund’s source, under circumstances that remain unclear.
Allegedly, this dynamic has strained the relationship between the DACF Administrator and her supervising Minister, with the former gaining the upper hand, reportedly backed by support from President Akufo-Addo.
Annually, the Administrator drafts the formula for distributing the Fund and presents it to Parliament for approval.
Once endorsed, the Administrator allocates the Fund to the different District Assemblies in accordance with the approved formula.
Additionally, the Administrator oversees and monitors the utilization of the Fund by the District Assemblies, providing written reports to the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development regarding the Assemblies’ use of the Fund.
As mandated by law, the Administrator is obligated to submit an annual report to Parliament detailing all activities of the Fund throughout the year.
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