The Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations, has expressed concerns over the undue delays and confusion that surrounds in the disbursement of the 3% District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to persons with disabilities in the Sagnarigu Municipality.
According to the federation, the Assembly over the period had refused to release or disburse the three percent of the common fund, meant for the Persons with Disabilities and that has put untold hardship on its members in the municipality.
The District Assembly Common Fund Act (DACF) 1993, stipulates that a percentage of the fund is given to Persons with Disability to among others; support their businesses thereby lifting them out of poverty.
However Speaking to Diamond News, Secretary of the GDF, Mohammed Seidu Chantima who doubles as chairman of the persons with Disability Resource centre in the Northern Region, lamented that despite several dialogue including a recent meeting with chief of Sagnarigu Naa Ambassador Yakubu, management of the Assembly had failed to release the funds to the PWDs.
He argued that there is no section of law in Ghana that indicates that the MMDAs should use the 3 percent meant for PWDs, to purchase items for onwards disbursement to PWDs.
Rather, Seidu Chantima said it was a suggestion made by the common fund administrator but not a policy as being taken by MMDAs to buy items such as sewing machines and deep freezers for PWDs.
He revealed that leadership of the Ghana federation organizations would soon petition the Northern Regional Co-ordinating Council and the Common fund administrator to probe the Sagnarigu Municipal Assembly over the delays in disbursing the disability component of the Common Fund.
