Trouble is brewing between the Ministries of Agriculture and Finance over claims that 1.6 billion Cedis representing 85% of the former’s budgetary allocation has been released into their accounts.
According to MoFA, these claims do not align with the official budget execution documents issued by the Ministry of Finance itself.
The Ministry of Finance had announced that it released GH¢1.677 billion to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in 2026, representing 85% of the ministry’s approved budget for Goods and Services and Capital Expenditure (CAPEX).
The disclosure was made by the Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, during the launch of Ghana’s National Pact for Agricultural Transformation, Food Security and Employment (AgriConnect Compact) on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
Speaking at the event on Thursday, June 4, Mr. Nyarko Ampem said the Mahama administration is matching its agricultural transformation agenda with substantial financial commitments and targeted investments.
He noted that the government’s commitment to agriculture is evident in a number of flagship programmes being implemented under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama.
According to the Deputy Minister, the government’s vision for agriculture extends beyond increasing production to transforming the entire agricultural value chain, improving food security, creating jobs, and strengthening economic growth.
To support this agenda, he announced that significant resources had already been released by the Ministry of Finance to fund critical interventions across the sector.
“I am pleased to confirm that we have released GH¢1.677 billion, representing 85 percent of the approved 2026 Budget for Goods and Services and Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture,” he stated.
However, a statement issued by Samuel Huntor, Media Liaison Officer at the Office of the Minister for Food and Agriculture on Friday, June 5, said that on 15th February 2026, the Ministry of Finance issued a Commitment Authorization to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. However, just four days later, on 19th February 2026, the Ministry of Finance issued the 2026 First and Second Quarter Budget Allotment Letter, which explicitly stated that, notwithstanding the contents of the Commitment Authorization, MOFA’s total expenditure for the first half of the year should not exceed GH¢910 million.
“The Ghanaian people deserve transparency, accuracy, and honesty in the management of public finances, particularly in a sector as critical as agriculture and food security.
“For the avoidance of doubt, attached are the Commitment Authorization letters issued by the Ministry of Finance, together with the 2026 First and Second Quarter Budget Allotment Letter and the accompanying schedule, which clearly indicate that MOFA’s expenditure ceiling for the first half of 2026 was capped at GH¢910,000,000,” he said.
Find attached the statement shared on the Facebook wall of Samuel Huntor, the media liaison officer at the office of the Minister of Food and Agriculture….
STOP THE INFANTILE PROPAGANDA BEFORE IT EXPLODES
The attention of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) has been drawn to claims by the Ministry of Finance that it has released GH¢1.6 billion, representing 85% of MOFA’s 2026 budget allocation. These claims do not align with the official budget execution documents issued by the Ministry of Finance itself.
On 15th February 2026, the Ministry of Finance issued a Commitment Authorization to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. However, just four days later, on 19th February 2026, the Ministry of Finance issued the 2026 First and Second Quarter Budget Allotment Letter, which explicitly stated that, notwithstanding the contents of the Commitment Authorization, MOFA’s total expenditure for the first half of the year should not exceed GH¢910 million.
More significantly, the accompanying allotment schedule further restricted actual spending between January and June 2026 to approximately GH¢453 million, covering all expenditures, including staff compensation, contract commitments, and operational activities.
The records indicate that only limited allocations were made to key agricultural interventions, including:
* Farmer Service Centres – GH¢172,500,000.00
* Nkokonkitinkiti Programme – GH¢36,747,767.55
* Fertiliser and Certified Seeds – GH¢77,297,026.30
* Feed Ghana Programme – GH¢4,500,000.00
* National Food Buffer Stock Company – GH¢30,000,000.00
* Irrigation Infrastructure – GH¢26,250,000.00
Since the issuance of the allotment letter, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has not received any subsequent communication from the Ministry of Finance authorising additional expenditures that would support the claim that GH¢1.6 billion has been released.
The question, therefore, remains straightforward:
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?
Public financial management is governed by official allotments, cash releases, and actual budget availability—not by public relations narratives or propaganda.
The Ghanaian people deserve transparency, accuracy, and honesty in the management of public finances, particularly in a sector as critical as agriculture and food security.
For the avoidance of doubt, attached are the Commitment Authorization letters issued by the Ministry of Finance, together with the 2026 First and Second Quarter Budget Allotment Letter and the accompanying schedule, which clearly indicate that MOFA’s expenditure ceiling for the first half of 2026 was capped at GH¢910,000,000.
The facts speak for themselves.
Samuel Huntor
Media Liaison Officer
Office of the Minister for Food and Agriculture
Source:tolonradio.com
