A Ghanaian citizen, Dr. Yaw Twerefour, has filed a Supreme Court writ challenging the constitutionality of paying District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) monies directly into the personal bank accounts of the 276 Members of Parliament (MPs).
He also seeks an interlocutory injunction to stop the Administrator of the DACF and the Minister for Finance from making any further payments to MPs’ personal accounts. Dr. Twerefour believes these disbursements, designated for ‘Constituency Monitoring and Evaluation’ and ‘Constituency Labour Projects’, are unconstitutional.
This legal challenge fits into Ghana's ongoing efforts to enhance public financial accountability and reduce perceived corruption. Previous reports from the Auditor-General have frequently highlighted issues with public funds' management. The precise allocation and expenditure of these funds to MPs have been a recurring point of public debate. This case could redefine the financial relationship between central government funding and local development initiatives.
Dr. Twerefour, through his lawyer Diana Asonaba Dapaah of Sam Okudzeto & Associates, argues the DACF is exclusively for District Assemblies. “DACF monies additionally, are paid directly into the personal bank accounts of Members of Parliament and these monies are substantial sums disbursed with no adequate documentation or accountability provided for the utilisation of the said funds,” Dr. Twerefour stated in his affidavit. He contends such funds become untraceable and irrecoverable once deposited into personal accounts, creating a significant risk of dissipation.
The Supreme Court will hear the injunction motion on June 23, 2026. The outcome will likely impact public financial management practices and accountability standards for MPs in Ghana. A ruling against the current practice could force a restructure of how significant public funds are disbursed for local development. Furthermore, it could trigger increased scrutiny over other public funds allocated to political officeholders. Decision-makers in both the executive and legislative arms of government will keenly monitor this case.
The substantive action also seeks eleven distinct reliefs from the Supreme Court. Dr. Twerefour wants a declaration that DACF is solely for District Assemblies under articles 252(1), (2), and (3) of the Constitution. He further requests that any formula allocating DACF portions to MPs, including ‘MPs Common Fund’ or ‘Constituency Labour Projects’, be declared unconstitutional and void. Additionally, he seeks a declaration that paying DACF monies into MPs' personal bank accounts violates articles 187 and 252 of the Constitution, undermining public financial accountability. This practice, he argues, defeats the Auditor-General's audit mandate, making it unconstitutional.