By Nii Martey M. Botchway, GNA
Accra, Aug. 26, GNA – The Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly (LEKMA) says delays in the disbursement of the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) component of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) are not deliberate.
This follows concerns raised by some beneficiaries over the failure of the Assembly to promptly disburse funds allocated to PWDs on a quarterly basis as prescribed by law.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at a ceremony to disburse GH¢600,000 in cash grants and business equipment to 92 PWDs in the municipality, Mr Kabu Saint, Chairman of the Disability Fund Management Committee of LEKMA, attributed the delays largely to administrative processes.
He said the processes included consultations, vetting and needs assessment exercises that the Assembly was required to undertake before the funds could be disbursed.
Mr Saint explained that the funds were targeted at specific beneficiaries and purposes, requiring the Assembly to ensure that all the criteria were met and due diligence conducted before disbursement.
“These are monies that have to be accounted for, hence we cannot disburse them without following due process,” he said.
He said although the Assembly sympathised with beneficiaries over the delays, it could not be entirely blamed as some beneficiaries also contributed to the delays.
He said there had been instances where field officers conducted needs assessments with beneficiaries and agreed on the items or support required, only for some beneficiaries to subsequently request changes.
He said while the Assembly would continue to ensure the prompt disbursement of the funds, it would also strictly adhere to the required procedures to ensure transparency and accountability.
He therefore appealed to beneficiaries to cooperate with the Assembly by providing accurate documentation and clearly identifying their needs to facilitate a smooth, transparent and swift disbursement process.
GNA
Nii Martey M. Botchway
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong