Despite the Municipality receiving substantial allocations from the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) and internally generated funds (IGF), residents of Bibiani are left questioning the fate of these public resources. Streets remain unpaved, schools lack basic infrastructure, and health facilities continue to struggle with inadequate equipment. The glaring disconnect between funds released and tangible development is impossible to ignore.
For years, residents have voiced concerns about projects that are promised but never delivered. Local leaders, elected or appointed, have consistently assured the public of progress, yet the visible outcomes are minimal. Communities that once hoped for rapid transformation now find themselves trapped in the same cycle of neglect and unmet expectations.
Investigations reveal that the Municipality continues to receive high allocations from the DACF annually, alongside revenue from the IGF. According to official records, these funds are intended to support education, healthcare, sanitation, and local economic development. Yet, many of these projects remain unfinished or entirely absent.
Residents argue that the problem is not lack of resources but poor governance and weak accountability mechanisms. “We see the money, but we don’t see the results,” said a community leader. “Our children still attend schools with leaking roofs. Our roads are dusty and dangerous. How is that development?”
The editorial board has obtained copies of the Municipality’s financial reports. While they show expenditures for various projects, there is a worrying lack of evidence of completion. In some cases, funds appear to have been disbursed, but the projects either stalled or never started. This raises serious questions about oversight and transparency.
Accountability is at the heart of the problem. The Social Accountability Committee and other oversight bodies have conducted audits in the past, but their findings rarely translate into action. Citizens are left frustrated, wondering if the money is being mismanaged or siphoned off. Public trust is eroding rapidly.
The situation in Bibiani is not unique but reflects a broader national concern. Across municipalities, DACF and IGF allocations are meant to empower local governments to drive development. When these resources fail to reach the intended projects, citizens are deprived of essential services, and the credibility of local governance is undermined.
It is imperative for the Municipal Assembly to provide clear and transparent accounts of how every cedi from the DACF and IGF has been utilized. Independent verification of projects, regular public reporting, and community engagement must become standard practice. Citizens cannot be expected to remain silent while their funds vanish without trace.
Residents of Bibiani are demanding answers, not excuses. They want to see completed schools, functional health centers, clean streets, and thriving local economies. Mere promises and flashy announcements no longer satisfy the public; accountability must translate into visible action.
The editorial board calls on municipal leaders to step up immediately. Where DACF and IGF funds are concerned, transparency, responsibility, and performance are non-negotiable. The people of Bibiani will continue to watch closely, and they will hold their leaders accountable. The time for action is now — the funds are in your hands; the results must follow.
