The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) is challenging the Ministry of Finance’s recent assertions that it had released GH¢1.6 billion, or 85% of MoFA’s budgetary allotment for 2026, citing the allegation as being at odds with official government budget documents.
The figures being sent out do not match the Ministry of Finance’s own budget execution records and allotment schedules, according to a statement released by the Office of the Minister for Food and Agriculture.
The announcement states that on February 15, 2026, MoFA received a Commitment Authorisation from the Ministry of Finance.
But on February 19, 2026, four days later, the Finance Ministry published the 2026 First and Second Quarter Budget Allotment Letter, which limited MoFA’s spending for the first half of the year.
According to the allotment letter, MoFA should not spend more than GH¢910 million in total between January and June of 2026.
Additionally, actual spending during the period was restricted to about GH¢453 million by the accompanying expenditure plan, which covered operational costs, contractual commitments, and employee remuneration.
According to MoFA, the following significant agricultural programs received funding under the authorised schedule:
- 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
- Irrigation infrastructure – GH¢26.25 million
The ministry asserts that it has not received any further correspondence from the Ministry of Finance authorising spending levels that would substantiate assertions that GH¢1.6 billion has been released since the allotment letter was sent.
As a result, MoFA questioned the foundation for the figure’s public citation.
“If the Ministry of Finance officially capped MoFA’s spending through its allotment system and has not issued any subsequent authorisation, where exactly is this GH¢1.6 billion figure coming from?” the statement questioned.
The ministry emphasised that official allotments, cash flows, and actual budget availability—rather than unsupported public statements—should serve as the foundation for public financial management.
It also demanded responsibility, precision, and transparency in the administration of public funds, especially in the agriculture sector, which is still vital to Ghana’s economic growth and food security.
The ministry’s spending cap for the first half of 2026 was set at GH¢910 million, according to the Commitment Authorisation documents, the 2026 First and Second Quarter Budget Allotment Letter, and the accompanying expenditure schedule that MoFA said it has attached to support its position.
The statement ended with the words, “The facts speak for themselves.”
Source: newsthemegh.com