Development Economist at the University of Ghana (UG), Dr. George Domfeh, has criticised former President John Dramani Mahama for his recent comments regarding the inclusion of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) in the 1992 constitution.
According to Dr. Domfeh, the DACF is not a social intervention program, contradicting Mahama's assertions. He asserted that it is a disgrace for the former president, who doubles as the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to make such claims.
"District Assembly Common Fund is not a social intervention program; these are two big lies. It is a disgrace to the country for a former president to say such a thing.
"The District Assembly Common Fund is a statutory expenditure backed by law. When you look at the law, not less than 5% of the total revenue is allocated to it," he said.
Dr. Domfeh, who doubles as a fellow of the Institute of Progressive Governance (IPG), further expressed his dismay at Mahama's claim that the NDC included the DACF in the 1992 constitution.
"One thing that is worrying me about his comment is that he claimed it is the NDC that put the District Assembly Common Fund in the 1992 constitution.
"We call something anachronistic because what he said is anachronistic. The NDC party was formed on July 28, 1992. Ghana's constitution was accepted by 92% of voters on April 28, 1992. So, Ghana's constitution came before the NDC party was formed," Domfeh explained.
Speaking on a panel discussion on Movement TV on July 13, 2024, he added, "So, if you claim that it was the NDC that included the District Assembly Fund in the 1992 constitution, at the time the constitution was accepted in April 1992, there was no NDC.
"Those who handle former President John Mahama should know that they are not just representing the NDC but the entire nation. They should scrutinise his lies and speeches, which can go against Ghana."
During a media encounter on July 8, 2024, Mahama stated that NDC social intervention programs included the District Assembly Common Fund.
"I have heard this thing said so many times, and I wonder the basis of why they say so. That NDC has no social intervention programs. It is the funniest thing I have heard. Who brought the District Assembly Fund concept? It was the NDC in 1992 and said 5-8% of total government revenue should go directly to the district for their development.
"So, if you go to your district and they have built a school, hospital, etc., it is a social intervention of the NDC that has produced that," Mahama asserted.
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