A public dispute has emerged between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) over claims regarding the release of more than GH¢1.6 billion for agricultural programmes this year, with both sides presenting conflicting figures on budget execution.
The Ministry of Finance insists it has released over GH¢1.6 billion to MoFA, representing about 85% of the ministry’s 2026 budget allocation for Goods and Services and Capital Expenditure (CAPEX).
According to the Finance Ministry, releases for Goods and Services stand at 94.73%, while CAPEX disbursements have reached 74.66%, arguing that this demonstrates strong budget execution.
It further explained that all releases—except funding to the National Food Buffer Stock Company—were initiated by MoFA through standard procedures on the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), with each transaction supported by requisition dates, journal numbers, approval dates, and warrant numbers.
The ministry maintained that this process reflects standard public financial management practice across all ministries, departments, and agencies.
However, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture strongly disputes the figures, describing them as inconsistent with official budget execution documents issued by the Finance Ministry itself.
MoFA argues that although a Commitment Authorization was issued on 15 February 2026, the subsequent First and Second Quarter Budget Allotment Letter dated 19 February 2026 capped its total expenditure for the first half of the year at GH¢910 million.
According to MoFA, the accompanying allotment schedule further restricted actual spending between January and June 2026 to approximately GH¢453 million, covering staff compensation, operational costs, and contractual obligations.
The ministry listed allocations for key programmes as follows: Farmer Service Centres (GH¢172.5 million), Nkokonkitinkiti Programme (GH¢36.75 million), Fertiliser and Certified Seeds (GH¢77.3 million), Feed Ghana Programme (GH¢4.5 million), National Food Buffer Stock Company (GH¢30 million), and irrigation infrastructure (GH¢26.25 million).
MoFA insists it has not received any subsequent authorisation from the Finance Ministry to justify the claim that GH¢1.6 billion has been released beyond the stated ceilings.
It further questioned the basis of the Finance Ministry’s figure, arguing that public financial management is governed by official allotments and cash releases rather than public statements.
“For the avoidance of doubt,” MoFA said, it has attached relevant Commitment Authorization letters and allotment documents to support its position that expenditure was capped at GH¢910 million for the first half of 2026.
The ministry’s media liaison officer, Samuel Huntor, maintained that “the facts speak for themselves,” urging transparency and accuracy in reporting public financial data as the dispute continues.
