The Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Hon Abena Osei Asare, has cautioned Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) to desist from overspending funds allocated through the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF).
She issued the warning at the PAC’s third Zonal Public Hearing held in Takoradi where the Committee is considering the 2024 Auditor-General’s report on public schools and District Assemblies.
Common Infractions Cited
According to the Committee, a majority of District and Municipal Assemblies were cited for overspending their DACF allocations.
Other recurring infractions included unauthorized borrowing from the Persons With Disabilities (PWD) Fund and the Members of Parliament (MP) Common Fund.
The Auditor-General’s report also flagged payments made without VAT invoices, delayed payment of staff salaries, and a growing number of stalled projects across various assemblies.
Refund Directive
Responding to the findings, the Ranking Member of the Committee, Hon. Samuel Atta Mills, directed all affected Assemblies to refund excess and unauthorized expenditures.
He stated that the refunds must be made from the Assemblies’ Internally Generated Funds (IGF), starting this year and continuing in subsequent years until the amounts are fully recovered.
“Assemblies cannot continue to misuse statutory funds meant for development. Those who overspend or borrow without approval must pay back from their IGF,” Hon. Atta Mills said.
Accountability Push
Hon. Abena Osei Asare stressed that the DACF is intended to drive local development and improve service delivery at the grassroots.
She warned that fiscal indiscipline at the district level undermines public confidence and delays critical projects.
The PAC’s zonal hearings form part of Parliament’s oversight mandate to ensure accountability and value for money in the use of public funds.
The Takoradi hearing brought together District Chief Executives, Finance Officers, and Internal Auditors from assemblies in the Western and Western North Regions to respond to audit queries.
The Committee is expected to continue its hearings in other zones and submit recommendations to Parliament for further action.
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Source:
opemsuo.com