MPs call for more funds

Accra, Dec. 11, GNA - Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh, NDC- Wa West, on Monday asked that more resources be directed to the Office of the Administrator of the District Assemblies' Common Fund (DACF) to enable proper monitoring of the use of the funds to stamp out corruption and leakages.

He also called on the Administrator to review the criteria used to disburse funds to the districts to ensure fairness and equity. The MP was contributing to the debate on the motion for the approval of 1.458 trillion cedis for the services of the DACF Administrator in 2007.

Mr Lee Ocran, NDC-Jomoro, was particularly concerned about the inability of the MPs to make use of their share of the funds because of impediments placed in their way by some District Chief Executives. He, therefore, urged the Administrator of the Fund to be up and doing to ensure that MPs had access to their share of the Funds. Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Chief Whip, said the offices of the Administrator needed to be resourced to monitor projects to stop the massive fraud at the district level.

The House also approved 36.4 billion cedis for the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice.

Mr Stephen Balado-Manu, NPP-Ahafo Ano South, said funds allocated to the Commission were inadequate and this could hinder their work in upholding the rights of the citizenry.

Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Chief Whip, in his contributions, said the Commission was going to embark on a massive campaign against corruption next year and needed more funds to carry out its duty.

The House later approved a little over 1.1 trillion cedis for the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment and 1.7 billion cedis for the National Media Commission. The Special Budget Committee's report said it was worrying that the Commission was working under very deplorable condition with no single vehicle for its use.