Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Local Government and Rural Development, Queenstar Pokuah Sawyer, has issued a stern warning to officials of the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District Assembly in the Upper West Region over the misuse of funds meant for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
“This is the last time you dip your hands in disability funds. You see how you embarrass politicians,” she cautioned, addressing the District Coordinating Director and Finance Officer during the Committee’s sitting on Friday in Accra.
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Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Local Government and Rural Development, Queenstar Pokuah Sawyer, has issued a stern warning to officials of the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District Assembly in the Upper West Region over the misuse of funds meant for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
“This is the last time you dip your hands in disability funds. You see how you embarrass politicians,” she cautioned, addressing the District Coordinating Director and Finance Officer during the Committee’s sitting on Friday in Accra.
The warning came after audit findings revealed that funds allocated to PwDs under the District Assemblies Common Fund had been used for unauthorized purposes, contrary to the intended objectives.
Hon. Pokuah Sawyer described the situation as unacceptable and urged the assembly to refund all misapplied funds and ensure transparency in future disbursements.
She stressed that the fund was established to empower persons with disabilities economically and socially, not to serve as an operational reserve for assemblies and urged the the District Chief Executive (DCE) not to allow his officers to lead him astray on usage of the fund.
In response to the Committee’s concerns, the DCE), James Wor, told the media that measures had already been taken to ensure proper management of the disability fund.
“It’s not about what I will do — it’s about what I’ve done already,” he stated. “Since I came, the disability committee has been very active, and anytime they bring their proposals, they are worked on. Even two weeks ago, we disbursed money to some beneficiaries.”
He explained that the issue of fund mismanagement had been tackled seriously under his administration and that new systems were in place to prevent recurrence.
Touching on broader developmental challenges in the district, Mr. Wor cited poor road networks, inadequate educational facilities, and limited police presence as major concerns. He disclosed that plans were underway to establish a district police command and that approval had been granted for the construction of a new secondary school at the district capital, Daffiama.
Effortshe said, are being made to improve internally generated funds (IGF) and to enforce quality standards on all ongoing infrastructure projects.
Commending the Member of Parliament for Daffiama-Bussie-Issa, Mr. Wor said the MP has been instrumental in local development, drilling more than 40 boreholes across the constituency and actively supporting community initiatives.
“The MP is doing very well. He’s always with the people — in both their challenges and joy — and that’s why they affectionately call him ‘Dola,’” the DCE noted.
The Committee directed the assembly to submit a detailed report on corrective measures taken regarding the PwD fund and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring accountability and good governance at the local level.
The warning came after audit findings revealed that funds allocated to PwDs under the District Assemblies Common Fund had been used for unauthorized purposes, contrary to the intended objectives.
Hon. Pokuah Sawyer described the situation as unacceptable and urged the assembly to refund all misapplied funds and ensure transparency in future disbursements.
She stressed that the fund was established to empower persons with disabilities economically and socially, not to serve as an operational reserve for assemblies and urged the the District Chief Executive (DCE) not to allow his officers to lead him astray on usage of the fund.
In response to the Committee’s concerns, the DCE), James Wor, told the media that measures had already been taken to ensure proper management of the disability fund.
“It’s not about what I will do — it’s about what I’ve done already,” he stated. “Since I came, the disability committee has been very active, and anytime they bring their proposals, they are worked on. Even two weeks ago, we disbursed money to some beneficiaries.”
He explained that the issue of fund mismanagement had been tackled seriously under his administration and that new systems were in place to prevent recurrence.
Touching on broader developmental challenges in the district, Mr. Wor cited poor road networks, inadequate educational facilities, and limited police presence as major concerns. He disclosed that plans were underway to establish a district police command and that approval had been granted for the construction of a new secondary school at the district capital, Daffiama.
Effortshe said, are being made to improve internally generated funds (IGF) and to enforce quality standards on all ongoing infrastructure projects.
Commending the Member of Parliament for Daffiama-Bussie-Issa, Mr. Wor said the MP has been instrumental in local development, drilling more than 40 boreholes across the constituency and actively supporting community initiatives.
“The MP is doing very well. He’s always with the people — in both their challenges and joy — and that’s why they affectionately call him ‘Dola,’” the DCE noted.
The Committee directed the assembly to submit a detailed report on corrective measures taken regarding the PwD fund and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring accountability and good governance at the local level.