The government has transferred a total of GH¢9.1 billion from the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) since assuming office, Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister Mahama Ayariga has said.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series at the Jubilee House on Monday, October 5, Mr Ayariga said the funds represented six quarters of DACF allocations and formed part of the government’s commitment to strengthening decentralisation and ensuring that local authorities have the resources to deliver essential services.

He said the increased transfers were consistent with the principle of “Funds Follow Functions”, arguing that local authorities could only effectively perform their responsibilities if adequate resources were made available to them.

“The Ministry has facilitated the transfer of total amount of GH¢9.1 billion, six quarters of the DACF, to MMDAs for the provision of socio-economic infrastructure and improved living conditions for the Ghanaian people,” he said.

Mr Ayariga said government was committed to ensuring that not less than 88% of DACF resources were disbursed to MMDAs, describing the increased funding as an important step towards revitalising local economies and accelerating development at the district level.