North Dayi Member of Parliament (MP), Joycelyn Tetteh has educated the public about misconceptions surrounding the allocation and utilization of financial resources to lawmakers, particularly, MPs share of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) whiles showcasing her development projects.
Speaking at various gatherings of chiefs and people of the North Dayi constituency on campaign tour ahead of the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections, Joycelyn Tetteh emphasized that it is deceptive for anyone to believe that Members of Parliament (MPs) are allocated substantial funds for development activities compared to Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) who have been given much resources with the mandate to address the developmental needs of their areas.
Background
The DACF, established under Article 252 of the 1992 Constitution by Act 455 in 1993, aims to ensure equitable financial resource allocation for local community development through district assemblies led by Chief Executives as representatives of the president at the local levels.
However, many citizens mistakenly view MPs as primary development agents, expecting them to resolve local challenges directly.
To clarify this misconception, Hon Joycelyn Tetteh explained that the MPs’ share of the DACF constitutes only 5% of the total allocation to various assemblies.
This allocation is intended to assist MPs in addressing specific developmental challenges within their districts/constituencies as elected representatives whose primary responsibility is lawmaking.
The remaining 95% of the DACF is controlled by the Chief Executives for development projects, yet residents often look to their MPs for solutions.
Utilizing Practical Communication Technique
To demonstrate her point more effectively, Hon Joycelyn Tetteh employed a practical educational method during her community visits and engagements, where she presented a sample amount of 100 Ghana cedis to represent the total DACF allocation for the North Dayi Assembly each quarter.
In front of residents present, she counted out loud Ghc 95.00, illustrating that this amount represents the portion managed by the District Chief Executive, while only Ghc 5.00, the MPs’ share, remains available for direct interventions by her outfit.
Hon Joycelyn Tetteh further clarified that this 5% share is not directly handed over to MPs; instead, it remains with the District Chief Executive who spends it on behalf of the MP at the assembly.
This she stated makes it impossible for the MP to abuse the allocation as being speculated.
Evidence of MPs Share of Common Fund Utilization
Throughout her visits to each community, Hon Joycelyn Tetteh showcased projects funded by her share of the MPs Common Fund. These includes:
- Construction of pavilions and mechanized water systems, Payment of school fees, enrollment of youth into various apprenticeship programs, Provision of chairs and tables for schools and communities, Distribution of streetlights, Construction and rehabilitation of education and health facilities, supply of building and roofing materials including cements and roofing sheets among others.
- The North Dayi MP also reported that, she has for many years make a point to cushion the finacial burden on parents by supporting their children with essential items as they start their SHS, Technical and Vocational educationafter their BECE.
- Hon Joycelyn Tetteh through her “Going to School with Joy” initiative has supported an estimated number 800 BECE graduates annually for the past four years with chop boxes, trunks, mattresses, exercise books, mathematical sets, food items including sardines, mackerel, sugar, gari and toiletries toilet rolls, sanitary pads and buckets as well as money for their transportation to school.
- DCE’s False Claim
- According to the people, the showcasing of the numerous projects undertaken by the MP contrasts accusations by the North Dayi District Chief Executive, Edmund Kudjo Attah, who claimed that, the MP mismanaged her share of the Common Fund.
Mr Attah, who is also the parliamentary candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2024 elections, circulated documents alleging financial mismanagement by the MP, Hon Joycelyn Tetteh.
In light of these accusations, the MP urged constituents to hold Mr Attah accountable for the 95% DACF he receives quarterly for the development of the area.
The MP’s message resonated well with constituents, who expressed their support with large crowds in each community visited and pledged their votes for both President John Mahama and Joycelyn Tetteh on December 7 for a resounding victory for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The North NDC aims to secure 99% of votes in this upcoming election.
By: Christian Kpesese
