Accra, Ghana – The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the Ministry of Finance of engaging in “fiscal propaganda” by allegedly inflating budgetary statistics related to agricultural fund releases. The NPP, through its Spokesperson on Food and Agriculture, Michael Aidoo, challenged claims made on Friday, June 5, by the Deputy Minister for Finance, asserting that the government deliberately misled the public regarding financial support for the sector.
Questioning Budgetary Claims
The controversy ignited following statements from the Ministry of Finance indicating that GH¢1.677 billion had been released to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA). This figure was presented as representing 85 per cent of MoFA’s total budget for goods, services, and capital expenditure.
However, Mr. Aidoo presented a counter-analysis, arguing that this 85 per cent figure is derived from a selective and misleading calculation. He stated that the government’s calculation omits crucial components of MoFA’s legally approved national budget.
These excluded elements include worker compensation, internally generated funds (IGF), international donor support, and allocations for foreign-funded projects. When these are factored in, Mr. Aidoo claims, the actual release against MoFA’s full parliamentary-approved budget of approximately GH¢3.038 billion amounts to only 55.2 per cent.
“So why present 55.2% to Ghanaians as 85%?” Mr. Aidoo questioned, demanding transparency in financial reporting.
Irrigation Funds and Unexplained Differences
Further scrutiny by the NPP spokesperson focused on specific allocations. The Deputy Minister reportedly stated that GH¢110 million was released for irrigation infrastructure. However, the legally approved budget for irrigation was GH¢105 million.
“How can the government release more than Parliament approved without a supplementary budget?” Mr. Aidoo queried, highlighting a potential budgetary irregularity.
Adding to the concerns, Mr. Aidoo revealed that the five specific agricultural expenditure items detailed by the Finance Ministry do not sum up to the GH¢1.677 billion total. Instead, these items reportedly aggregate to approximately GH¢1.652 billion, leaving an unexplained difference of GH¢25.3 million.
“This is precisely why the opposition will continue to demand accountability,” Mr. Aidoo declared, vowing to use legislative tools to investigate the missing funds.
Demand for Honest Accounting
Mr. Aidoo clarified that the NPP is not against substantial state support for agriculture. He emphasized the critical need for resources such as fertilizers, certified seeds, functional irrigation, mechanization, robust buffer stock support, and investment in the poultry sector.
However, he insisted that the public deserves accurate financial reporting rather than political spin. Mr. Aidoo stressed that budget releases do not automatically equate to actual expenditure, completed projects, or tangible benefits reaching farmers.
“A budget release is not the same as actual expenditure,” Mr. Aidoo stated. “It is not the same as completed projects. It is not the same as fertiliser reaching farmers. And it is certainly not the same as irrigation infrastructure functioning on the ground.”
Key Questions for the Ministry
The NPP spokesperson concluded by urging the Ministry of Finance to provide clear answers to four critical questions to restore public trust:
- Where exactly is the GH¢25.3 million difference located?
- Why was the irrigation infrastructure figure overstated?
- Why was a 55.2% release presented as 85%?
- What percentage of these allocations has actually been spent and reached farmers?
The opposition maintains that agriculture’s importance demands truthfulness, especially for local farmers who rely on accurate information and effective resource allocation for their livelihoods.
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