The Minority in Parliament has strongly criticised the government and Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, over the non-payment of key statutory funds, describing the situation as a gross violation of financial regulations and a serious threat to local development.
Addressing journalists in Parliament, Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, lamented that critical statutory payments—including the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), Social Investment Fund (SIF), National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), and second-quarter parliamentary releases—have not been honoured, despite constitutional requirements mandating quarterly disbursements.
He argued that the delay contravenes Act 963, which compels the government to make timely payments to support decentralization and ensure the smooth functioning of essential services.
“The government has collected the taxes, yet refuses to release the funds to the institutions they are meant for,” Annoh-Dompreh said. “This is severely affecting the operations of local assemblies and other institutions that depend on these funds to function effectively.”
The MP further accused the Finance Minister of unilaterally deciding to postpone the payments until June 2025, without offering transparency on how previously collected funds have been utilized.
According to Annoh-Dompreh, over GH¢7 billion was allocated in the 2025 budget for local governance-related disbursements, yet none has been paid to date.
He warned that the Minority would explore every constitutional and parliamentary avenue to compel the government to fulfil its statutory obligations.
“We will not allow this administration to continue these violations in its first year of office without consequences,” he declared.
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