Minority laments strain on business community as gov’t delays statutory payments to MMDAs, contractors

By Kizito CUDJOE

The Minority in Parliament has expressed deep concern over the government’s delay in disbursing statutory payments to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), warning that the situation is crippling infrastructure development and placing enormous strain on the business community.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament during the opening session of the second meeting of the 9th Parliament, Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei pointed specifically to the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), which she described as having been “starved,” leaving MMDAs unable to carry out essential services.

“This has brought infrastructure projects to a grinding halt. Roads lie unfinished, bridges remain skeletal, schools and hospitals are frozen mid-construction,” the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asokwa Constituency noted.

The strain, she added, has forced many contractors off-site, unable to continue work due to outstanding payments. “Because the government has simply refused to honour its obligations. Businesses are hurting. Citizens are stranded,” she told the House.

The Minority also raised alarm about the country’s energy situation, citing frequent disruptions that are hitting both commercial and domestic users hard.

On the cedi’s recent appreciation against major foreign currencies, the Minority argued that the gains have not translated into real relief for businesses and households.

“Prices remain stubbornly high,” the Deputy Minority Leader said, adding that players in shipping and transportation sectors continue to quote in dollars, in defiance of Bank of Ghana (BoG) benchmarks.

The Minority also called for transparency around recent reports of alleged “questionable payments” to some Members of Parliament for legislative work.

“If this House is to maintain its integrity, then transparency must be our shield and accountability our sword,” Madam Appiagyeh urged.

In response, Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga, speaking on behalf of the Majority caucus, reflected on what he described as a productive previous session.

Despite the influx of first-time MPs, he said, the House managed to pass 11 key bills that delivered on critical promises made by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to reset the economy.

Among the reforms he cited are the scrapping of the unpopular electronic levy and the carbon emission levy. “We also repealed taxes on lottery winnings and removed the 1.5 percent withholding tax on unprocessed gold from small-scale miners,” Ayariga said.

He noted further policy shifts, including the removal of VAT on motor vehicle insurance and an increase in the levy on gold mining companies from 1 percent to 3 percent of gross production, with the sunset clause extended to 2028.

“We raised the caps on certain statutory funds, enabling full allocations to priority sectors,” he added.

These strides, he said, were made possible through the “unwavering commitment demonstrated by Honourable Members of this House.”

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