A traditional ruler of Adeambra in the West Akim District of the Eastern Region, Baffour Yentumi Ampofo II, has observed that despite the many developments that the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) has facilitated at the local level, it faced many challenges.
She mentioned some of the challenges as delays in the transfer of funds, lack of transparency and low levels of accountability, ample evidence of low capacity and lack of understanding of some Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly (MMDA) staff on the Financial Administration Act (Act 654) and Financial Administration Regulations.
Baffour Ampofo explained that generally, the level of MMDAs compliance with financial management standards was low, resulting in several irregularities in terms of cash, procurement, contract and tax irregularities caused by administrative or procedural blunders and not only through corrupt practices.
“Traditional authorities play an important role in the development of their communities and need to be interested in social amenities that are selected by the assemblies for development in their communities. The assemblies have to periodically organise Town Hall meetings to explain issues to the citizenry who do not have the opportunity to attend assembly meetings.
“It is necessary for their information and mobilisation to participate in the local governance,” Baffour Ampofo stressed. –GNA