The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) are embroiled in a public dispute over the release of GHS 1.6 billion for agricultural programmes. The Ministry of Finance announced on June 4, 2026, it had released GHS 1.6 billion to MoFA, representing 85% of the ministry's budget for Goods and Services and Capital Expenditure (CAPEX).
MoFA swiftly challenged this claim, stating that actual releases as of May 29 amounted to only GHS 244.3 million. This figure represents just 12.4% of its approved GHS 1.97 billion budget for the year. This significant discrepancy affects the implementation of essential agricultural programmes.
This disagreement highlights broader issues within Ghana's public financial management and inter-ministerial coordination. The back-and-forth coincides with a national push for food security and agricultural development, making funding for MoFA critical. Previous government initiatives, like the “Planting for Food and Jobs” programme, heavily relied on timely budget disbursements. This current dispute could delay critical agricultural interventions such as fertiliser distribution and irrigation projects, impacting food production and farmer livelihoods.
In a press release dated June 5, 2026, MoFA described the figures circulated by the Ministry of Finance as misleading. The statement, signed by Samuel Huntor, Media Liaison Officer for the Minister for Food and Agriculture, urged the Ministry of Finance to “stop the infantile propaganda before it explodes.” MoFA maintained that the Finance Ministry’s claims “do not align with the official budget execution documents issued by the Ministry of Finance itself.”
The controversy also carries political undertones, with some seeing it as part of an emerging rivalry. This rivalry is reportedly between Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Food and Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku. Both are potential contenders for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential nomination ahead of the 2028 elections. Dennis Miracles Aboagye, spokesperson for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to intervene. Mr. Aboagye alleged that the Finance Minister is selectively prioritising funds to certain ministries, such as Roads and Energy, at the expense of others like MoFA and the Ministry of Education.
According to MoFA, the Ministry of Finance issued a Commitment Authorization on February 15, 2026. However, a subsequent Budget Allotment Letter on February 19, 2026, restricted MoFA’s total expenditure for the first half of the year to GHS 910 million. The accompanying schedule further limited actual spending between January and June 2026 to approximately GHS 453 million. This amount covers all expenditures, including staff compensation, contractual commitments, and operational activities. MoFA specified that only limited allocations were made for key interventions. These include GHS 172.5 million for Farmers’ Service Centres and GHS 77.3 million for Fertiliser and Certified Seeds. GHS 4.5 million was allocated for the Feed Ghana Programme. MoFA states it has received no subsequent authorisation for additional expenditures to support the GHS 1.6 billion claim.
This dispute demands immediate intervention to ensure transparency and accountability in public finances. The President's direct involvement will be crucial to clarify the actual financial position for the agricultural sector. Resolution of this conflict is vital to maintain public trust and ensure the effective implementation of the 2026 budget. Such clarity affects Ghana's economic stability and food security efforts.