Two District Assemblies mandated to manage the statutory Disability Common Fund have failed to respond to Right to Information requests filed by DisabilityNewsGH.com, in clear breach of the 14-working-day deadline under the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989).
The Ada East District Assembly and the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly have not provided a formal written decision or any of the requested documents weeks after the expiry of the extensions granted at their own request.
Ada East: 38 Working Days, No Accounts for GH¢77,000 Allocation
The RTI application to the Ada East District Assembly was filed on September 4, 2026, over the December 2025 Disability Fund disbursement for the Economic Empowerment component.
DisabilityNewsGH is undertaking a verification exercise after intercepting the Assembly’s own final investigative report into the disbursement.
The report values items procured, packaged and transported to the disbursement venue at GH¢15,800 against an approved allocation of GH¢77,000.
The Assembly was asked to provide procurement invoices, payment vouchers and receipts, supplier contracts and LPOs, the approved beneficiary list, release warrant, and bank statements.
After the 14-working-day period expired, a request for internal review was filed on September 28, 2026.
At the request of the Acting District RTI Officer via phone call, DisabilityNewsGH granted an additional one-week extension in good faith.
As of press time on October 29, 2026, 38 working days after the initial application, the Assembly has provided no documents.
Ashaiman: 27 Working Days, No Accounts for GH¢400,000 Disbursement and GH¢5,000 Equipment for Deceased Applicant
The RTI application to the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly was filed on September 22, 2026, under Reference No. DNGH/RTI/ASHMA/2026/001. It covers two disbursement periods.
PART A: The GH¢400,000 Expenditure Announced on September 14, 2026
During a public ceremony on Monday, September 14, 2026, the Assembly announced that GH¢400,000.00 had been disbursed to 59 beneficiaries.
Documents requested include the Certified Final Master Beneficiary List, Payment Vouchers and Bank Statements, and Procurement Documentation for deep freezers, industrial sewing machines, laptops and ice chests.
PART B: The Late Juliet Forson Allocation – May 8, 2026
Official Disability Fund Management Committee records confirm that Ms Juliet Forson was vetted, recommended and approved to receive an oven and a food warmer valued at GH¢5,000.00 for the May 8, 2026 cycle.
Tragically, she passed away before the disbursement ceremony. According to her family, no equipment, cash, or communication regarding the approved allocation has since been delivered.
The Assembly was asked to provide an official statement on the whereabouts of the equipment, proof of refund if returned to the Disability Fund account, or proof of lawful re-allocation.
The RTI Officer in Ashaiman also requested an extension to compile the information. As of October 29, 2026, 27 working days after filing – 13 days beyond the statutory deadline – no information has been provided.
Right of Reply: Both RTI Officers were contacted by phone on Thursday, October 23, 2026, and given up to close of business yesterday, October 28, 2026, to provide updates. As of press time, no information had been received.
What Next
The editorial team already holds exclusive information on all the issues raised in both applications. The RTI applications were filed in line with journalistic best practice and the principle of fair hearing – to obtain the official records and to give the Assemblies the opportunity to respond.
In the coming days, DisabilityNewsGH.com will publish its findings.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com
