“Fog of propaganda”: Agric Ministry has not received claimed 85% budget release — aide disputes Finance Ministry figures
A senior aide to the Minister for Food and Agriculture has disputed claims by the Finance Ministry that about 85 percent of the sector’s budget allocation has been released, describing the assertion as inaccurate and unsupported by official records. Michael Boakye, special aide to Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku, said...
A senior aide to the Minister for Food and Agriculture has disputed claims by the Finance Ministry that about 85 percent of the sector’s budget allocation has been released, describing the assertion as inaccurate and unsupported by official records.
Michael Boakye, special aide to Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku, said the ministry has not received the amounts cited by Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Ampem Nyarko.
“The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has not received the said amount either in totality or by proportion,” he said on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Friday (5 June).
Boakye argued that under Ghana’s current public financial management rules, funds are not released upfront but are tied to procurement processes and verified work.
“After contract execution, requests for payment must be supported with evidence before funds are released,” he explained.
He further questioned the accuracy of figures cited by the Finance Ministry, pointing to inconsistencies between budget allocations for irrigation and buffer stock programmes.
“When you compare the allocations, there are clear inconsistencies… contrary to what was presented,” he said.
Boakye went further, accusing the deputy minister of misleading the public.
“The deputy minister got lost in the fog of propaganda or was misled,” he said, urging authorities to provide evidence of any disbursements.
He also cited checks with the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, which he said did not support claims of payments consistent with the Finance Ministry’s statement.
The dispute comes amid growing concerns about funding delays affecting key agricultural programmes, particularly efforts to manage surplus food production and support farmers with market access.
“A lot of flagship programmes are struggling because funds are not flowing as expected,” Boakye said.
Despite the disagreement, he dismissed suggestions of tensions between the Agriculture and Finance ministries, insisting there was no conflict between Minister Eric Opoku and Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson.