Former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Suame, Maxwell Ofosu Boakye, has blamed the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) defeat in the 2024 general elections partly on what he describes as the “erratic and meagre” release of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) under the leadership of former Administrator, Irene Naa Torshie Addo.

Speaking on Luv FM in Kumasi in an interview with David Akuetteh, Mr Ofosu Boakye rejected claims by some party members that the NPP’s presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, was responsible for the party’s heavy electoral loss.

According to him, the manner in which the DACF was disbursed during Mrs Torshie Addo’s tenure made the party unpopular at the grassroots and affected development at the local level.

“By that erratic release of common funds and the meagre releases that were coming to us,” he said, “it made our work difficult and contributed to the anger of the people.”

Mr Ofosu Boakye alleged that Mrs Torshie Addo, whom he said belonged to the Kennedy Agyapong camp of the NPP, mishandled the release of the funds to assemblies, leaving many local authorities struggling to undertake development projects.

The District Assemblies Common Fund is a constitutionally mandated source of funding meant to support development at the local level. Over the years, delays in its release and concerns about political interference have sparked debates about its management and effectiveness.

Meanwhile, the former Suame MCE has praised the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) government for its decision to allocate 80 per cent of the DACF directly to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

He described the move as a bold step that could significantly speed up development across the country.

“I am the number one person who has commended them, because I have been in that office and there are things we shouldn’t politicize,” he said.

Mr Ofosu Boakye stressed that policies that benefit local governance and development should be supported regardless of which political party introduces them.

He also renewed calls for the election of MMDCEs, arguing that it would improve accountability and give local leaders more control over the administration of funds.

“By electing MMDCEs, we guarantee them a secure tenure. That is why some of us are calling for the election of MMDCEs. When it happens that way, you have a secured tenure,” he explained.

Currently, MMDCEs are appointed by the President, a system critics say limits their independence and makes them vulnerable to political pressure.