Ghana's Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government of misusing funds from the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project. He alleges that money borrowed for flood mitigation was diverted for unrelated activities. This includes workshops and conferences, rather than addressing critical drainage challenges.
Dr. Forson made these claims on JoyNews' PM Express on July 23, 2026. He stated that the GARID financing arrangement was a commercial loan, not free government money. Ghana will eventually bear the cost of repayment for these funds. The Minister expressed significant pain regarding how public money and loans have been used in the past.
This alleged diversion of funds raises serious questions about public finance management in Ghana. The GARID Project aimed to improve flood resilience in the Greater Accra region. Misusing these funds could exacerbate the perennial flooding issues that plague the capital. This situation highlights ongoing concerns about accountability in government spending, particularly with borrowed funds.
Dr. Forson criticized a pattern of using borrowed funds for activities not directly contributing to development outcomes. He specifically mentioned borrowing for workshops, travel, Land Cruisers, and consultancy services. He expressed disappointment that a loan secured for a major flood mitigation intervention was allegedly used for unrelated activities. "What hurts me is that when you borrow money of that magnitude and in the name of a major project, and you end up using less than 50 percent of the said amount for the project for which you borrowed, when the time comes for you to repay the loan, it hurts," Dr. Forson stated.
The Finance Minister questioned why funds meant for flood resilience were spent on conferences. He cited examples like spending on conferences at Aqua Safari. Dr. Forson alleged that some GARID funds were used for activities that did not directly support the project's objective. This objective was to reduce flooding and improve drainage infrastructure. His office has flagged concerns over requests for additional funds from the project. They questioned how previously released resources had been utilized.
Project officials provided explanations that did not demonstrate funds were channeled towards fixing drainage systems. "Clearly, they were spending on things that were not fixing the drains," Dr. Forson concluded. This situation could undermine future efforts to secure international financing for critical infrastructure projects. It also risks eroding public trust in government's ability to manage funds responsibly.
The implications of these allegations are significant for Ghana's economic stability and public trust. If proven true, the misuse of GARID funds could lead to increased debt burden without the intended development benefits. Decision-makers will face pressure to investigate these claims thoroughly. This will ensure accountability and prevent similar occurrences in the future. The public and financial markets will closely watch the government's response to these serious accusations.