DACF Reforms Boost Transparency, Drive Grassroots Development — Vice President

The Vice President, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has commended the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) for implementing far-reaching reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency, and impact in local governance and development.
During a working visit by officials from the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Secretariat to the DACF, led by its Administrator, Michael Harry Yamson, the Vice President underscored the Fund’s critical role in driving grassroots development and addressing regional disparities.
Established under District Assemblies Common Fund Act 455 in 1994, the DACF has served as a key financing mechanism for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), supporting infrastructure development and essential services across the country.
The engagement highlighted major operational reforms within the Fund, including the transition to a fully digital system designed to ensure timely disbursement of resources based on verified returns. Currently, about 80 per cent of DACF allocations are transferred directly to all 261 MMDAs, a move expected to strengthen decentralisation and improve service delivery at the local level.
The Vice President noted that enhanced accountability measures—such as the adoption of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), a strengthened transparency framework, and a growing performance-driven culture—are positioning the Fund to deliver more measurable outcomes.
She further welcomed ongoing organisational restructuring efforts within the DACF, including the establishment of a Grants and Sustainability Unit and a Research Unit, which are expected to improve planning, monitoring, and evidence-based decision-making.
Despite these gains, the Fund continues to grapple with legacy challenges, notably over 4,000 ongoing projects that require substantial financial resources for completion. In response, the DACF is exploring innovative approaches such as the Community Partnership Fund to accelerate project delivery and ensure value for money.
Recent DACF interventions have supported the construction of Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, classroom blocks, and boreholes, significantly improving access to healthcare, education, and potable water in underserved communities.
The Vice President stressed the importance of equity in national development, noting that inclusive growth must prioritise vulnerable populations and deprived areas.
“National progress must be deliberate in bringing everyone on board,” she said, urging the DACF to deepen stakeholder engagement, strengthen communication on its impact, and enhance tracking systems to ensure timely completion of projects.
She reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting the DACF in translating policy into tangible outcomes and sustaining inclusive development across Ghana.
The visit forms part of broader efforts to assess public sector institutions and ensure that reforms deliver meaningful improvements in the lives of citizens.