By Enock Akonnor (Managing Editor) enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
Fresh correspondence between the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) has provided new clarity on the long-running debate over the disbursement of funds under the District Assemblies Common Fund Responsiveness Factor Grant for DPAT VI.
The documents dated 27th February and 5th March 2024 respectively support the position of Hon. Irene Naa Torshie Addo-Lartey, the former DACF Administrator, and shed light on the sequence of events that shaped the programme’s implementation challenges.
Parliamentary Approval Backed Her Actions
A central revelation from Hon. Naa Torshie’s letter dated 5th March 2024 being a reply to an inquisition from the then Ministry of Finance is that, Parliament had already approved a merger of DPAT VI and DPAT VII as part of the 2023 DACF formula.
This was not a mere administrative adjustment, the letter emphasizes, but a formal parliamentary decision binding on the DACF. By law, the Fund can only operate strictly according to the formula passed by Parliament and cannot alter it without further parliamentary approval.
Because DPAT VI had been legally collapsed into DPAT VII, the Administrator explained that separate disbursement for DPAT VI would have been unlawful. She further reminded the Ministry of Finance that neither a ministry nor an agency has the authority to amend a parliamentary formula.
Donor Withdrawal Triggered the Collapse of DPAT VI
Her letter also details the events that undermined the rollout of DPAT VI. The German development bank KfW, one of the main partners, withdrew from the programme at the last minute, leaving Switzerland’s SECO as the only donor.
SECO’s contribution amounted to about GH₵37 million, while DACF was expected to provide over GH₵147 million—more than 75% of total programme costs.
This funding imbalance contradicted prior agreements with Parliament, which had insisted that DACF’s share should never exceed 50%. Parliament therefore rejected the proposed arrangement, leading to the eventual collapse of DPAT VI—a situation outside the control of the DACF Administrator.
History of Donor Withdrawals Provided Context
The Administrator’s letter also offers broader context, recalling that the Responsiveness Factor Grant began with five donors. Over the years, several withdrew, reportedly due to funds being misapplied by the Ministry of Finance, leaving the programme dormant for an extended period.
It was only in 2017 that the Administrator, working with the Minister of Local Government, succeeded in reviving the mechanism. Under her stewardship, DPAT III, IV, and V were implemented successfully, helping restore donor confidence.
Ongoing Efforts With Donors
Another key point from the documents is that development partners themselves are now engaged in discussions with DACF to formally merge DPAT VI and VII and map out a sustainable approach for future disbursements.
The Administrator noted that her office has been working closely with the partners and even invited the Minister of Finance to join one of the meetings—an indication of her openness and collaborative approach.
Conclusion: Administrator’s Position Vindicated
Taken together, the newly surfaced records show that Hon. Irene Naa Torshie acted within the confines of the law, adhered to parliamentary directives, and operated in line with donor expectations.
The delays attributed to her were instead the result of donor withdrawal, parliamentary decisions, and the legal constraints of the DACF formula.
The documents therefore clear her of claims that she refused to release funds, reinforcing the view that her actions were consistent, informed, and appropriate under the circumstances.
Source; www.leakyGhana.com
Enock Akonnor is an experienced Ghanaian journalist, based in Kumasi and currently serves as the CEO and Managing Editor of www.leakyghana.com.
With a wealth of expertise built over many years in the media industry, he has earned a solid reputation as one of Ghana’s most sought-after journalists.
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