The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has announced the disbursement of three per cent of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), as part of efforts to promote inclusion and equitable development at the local level.

The sector Minister, Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, made the disclosure during an interview on the Ghana Yensom morning show on Accra 100.5 FM hosted by Kaayire Otafrigya Kwesi Apea-Apreku on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. He noted that the official announcement regarding the payment of the PWDs' share of the DACF would be made on Monday, July 21, 2025.

This move follows the successful implementation of allowances for all elected and appointed Assembly Members across the country, further demonstrating the government’s commitment to strengthening local governance and social protection.

Mr. Ibrahim emphasised that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has consistently championed the welfare of PWDs.

He pointed out that it was under the NDC that the first disability desk was established, alongside the introduction of a two per cent allocation of the DACF to support persons living with disabilities—a policy the New Patriotic Party (NPP) later increased to three per cent.

Meanwhile, at a press conference on Monday, the Minister reaffirmed the Mahama administration’s pledge to transfer 80% of the DACF directly to Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

This, he said, is in line with President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to deepening Ghana’s decentralisation agenda.

“Decentralisation is not just about political power; it is about empowering local authorities with the resources and autonomy they need to serve their people effectively,” the Minister stated.

He acknowledged that the decentralisation policy, originally intended to bring governance closer to the people and improve grassroots participation in decision-making, has faced setbacks in recent years due to the centralisation of resources.

“To reverse this worrying trend, the Mahama administration is ensuring that a significant 80% of the Common Fund is transferred directly to the MMDAs,” he added.

The government believes that strengthening sub-district structures with adequate resources will enhance service delivery, improve local development outcomes, and restore public confidence in the decentralised governance system.