Finance, Agric Ministries clash over claims of GH¢1.6bn agricultural budget releases
A disagreement has erupted between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) over claims about the release of more than GH¢1.6 billion for agricultural programmes in 2026, with both institutions presenting differing accounts of budget implementation.
The Ministry of Finance says it has disbursed over GH¢1.6 billion to MoFA, representing approximately 85% of the ministry’s 2026 allocation for Goods and Services as well as Capital Expenditure (CAPEX).
According to the Finance Ministry, releases for Goods and Services amount to 94.73%, while CAPEX payments stand at 74.66%, which it says reflects strong budget performance.
The ministry also explained that, apart from allocations to the National Food Buffer Stock Company, all payment requests were initiated by MoFA through the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), with each transaction backed by requisition dates, journal entries, approval records and warrant numbers.
It stressed that the process follows standard public financial management procedures used across government ministries, departments and agencies.
However, MoFA has rejected the Finance Ministry’s claims, arguing that the figures do not align with official budget execution documents issued by the Finance Ministry itself.
According to MoFA, although a Commitment Authorization was issued on February 15, 2026, the First and Second Quarter Budget Allotment Letter dated February 19, 2026 limited the ministry’s spending for the first half of the year to GH¢910 million.
The ministry further stated that the allotment schedule effectively restricted actual expenditure between January and June 2026 to about GH¢453 million, covering salaries, operational expenses and contractual commitments.
MoFA outlined allocations for major programmes, including GH¢172.5 million for Farmer Service Centres, GH¢36.75 million for the Nkokonkitinkiti Programme, GH¢77.3 million for fertiliser and certified seeds, GH¢4.5 million for the Feed Ghana Programme, GH¢30 million for the National Food Buffer Stock Company, and GH¢26.25 million for irrigation infrastructure.
The ministry insisted it has not received any further authorisation from the Finance Ministry to support claims that GH¢1.6 billion has been released beyond the approved spending ceilings.
MoFA also questioned the basis of the Finance Ministry’s assertions, stressing that public financial management should be determined by official allotments and actual cash releases rather than public declarations.
To support its position, MoFA said it had attached relevant Commitment Authorization letters and allotment documents showing that expenditure for the first half of 2026 was capped at GH¢910 million.
The ministry’s media liaison officer, Samuel Huntor, said “the facts speak for themselves” and called for transparency and accuracy in discussions surrounding public financial data as the disagreement continues.
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