As part of efforts to strengthen decentralisation and drive economic growth at the local level, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has announced an allocation of GH¢7.51 billion to the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) in the 2025 Budget Statement.
The announcement, made during the budget presentation in Parliament on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
According to the finance minister, the move underscores the government’s commitment to empowering district assemblies and ensuring equitable development across the country.
He emphasised that a minimum of 80% of the allocated funds will be sent directly to the district assemblies, marking a departure from previous practices where less than 50% of the DACF reached the local level.
The increased allocation and direct disbursement of funds, according to the finance minister, are expected to empower district assemblies to undertake critical development projects, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, and sanitation.
“Mr. Speaker, we have allocated an amount of GH¢7.51 billion to the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF). In accordance with our decentralization policy objective, we propose to Parliament that a minimum of 80% of the funds should be sent directly to the District Assemblies to spur economic growth at the district level and deepen decentralisation,” he stated.
“Mr. Speaker, it is worth noting that, this is in stark contrast to what has happened to the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) in recent years where less than 50% of the released amount to DACF goes to the District Assemblies, with a significant portion spent at the centre,” he added.
