Conflicting claims have emerged between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) over the actual amount of public funds released for agricultural programmes in 2026, triggering a fresh dispute over budget execution figures.
The Ministry of Finance insists that it has disbursed over GH¢1.6 billion to MoFA, representing about 85 per cent of the ministry’s allocation for Goods and Services and Capital Expenditure (CAPEX).
It explained that releases for Goods and Services stand at 94.73 per cent, while CAPEX disbursements have reached 74.66 per cent, arguing that the figures reflect strong budget performance.
According to the Finance Ministry, all payments—except those made to the National Food Buffer Stock Company—were initiated by MoFA through the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).
It added that each transaction is supported by standard financial records, including requisition dates, journal entries, approvals, and warrant numbers.
The ministry maintained that this process is consistent with established public financial management practices across all ministries, departments, and agencies.
However, MoFA has rejected the Finance Ministry’s figures, describing them as inconsistent with official budget documents issued by the same ministry.
MoFA said that although a Commitment Authorization was issued on 15 February 2026, the First and Second Quarter Budget Allotment Letter dated 19 February 2026 limited total expenditure for the first half of the year to GH¢910 million.
It further stated that the allotment schedule 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, including 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 additional authorisation to justify claims that GH¢1.6 billion has been released beyond the approved ceiling.
It also questioned the basis of the Finance Ministry’s figures, stressing that public expenditure is guided by official allotments and cash releases rather than public statements.
“For the avoidance of doubt,” MoFA stated, it has submitted supporting Commitment Authorization letters and allotment documents confirming that expenditure was capped at GH¢910 million for the first half of 2026.
MoFA’s media liaison officer, Samuel Huntor, said “the facts speak for themselves,” urging accuracy and transparency in the reporting of public financial data as the dispute continues.
