Minority in parliament accuses government of violating constitution over DACF formula

The Minority caucus in Parliament has accused the government of breaching the 1992 Constitution by introducing what it describes as an unlawful parallel formula for the distribution of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF).

At a press conference on [date], Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh argued that newly issued ministerial guidelines effectively override the formula constitutionally approved by Parliament for allocating funds to the country’s 261 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

According to Annoh-Dompreh, while Parliament approved the 2025 DACF formula based on what he described as a scientifically grounded, equity-based model, the Minister’s subsequent guidelines have introduced fixed expenditure percentages not captured in the approved framework.

The directive reportedly allocates:

· 25 percent to the 24-Hour Economy Market initiative
· 10 percent each for CHPS compounds, school blocks, boreholes, and sanitation projects
· 5 percent for administration
· 20 percent for legacy projects

“The Parliamentary formula is not politically driven but rather based on empirical data, factoring in indicators such as social needs, education, healthcare, and equitable development considerations,” Annoh-Dompreh stated.

He contended that these ministerial allocations lack constitutional backing, emphasizing that Article 252 of the Constitution vests authority in Parliament alone to determine the DACF distribution formula.

“The Minister does not have the legal mandate to assign new percentages or alter the approved framework. This amounts to redesigning the formula rather than merely providing administrative guidance,” he added.

The Minority Chief Whip described the move as an executive overreach and is demanding the immediate withdrawal of the ministerial guidelines. He insisted that any modification to the DACF formula must be processed through Parliament in accordance with constitutional requirements.

Government officials have yet to respond to the allegations.