Former National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Afram Plains North, Betty Krosbi Mensah, has accused Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson of deliberately withholding funds approved by Parliament for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and other government institutions.
According to the former legislator, the alleged delay in releasing funds is part of a broader strategy aimed at weakening ministries headed by individuals perceived as obstacles to the Finance Minister's political ambitions.
Speaking on the matter, Ms. Krosbi Mensah claimed that despite parliamentary approval of budgetary allocations, the Ministry of Finance has failed to release the necessary funds to support critical programmes within the agricultural sector and other strategic ministries.
She further alleged that the financial constraints imposed on these institutions are politically motivated and intended to undermine potential rivals within the governing party and administration.
The allegations have, however, been strongly rejected by the Ministry of Finance.
Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem dismissed the claims as "laughable," insisting that government fund releases are being carried out in accordance with established fiscal procedures and expenditure schedules.
Officials within the ministry have maintained that there is no deliberate attempt to deny resources to any ministry or agency. They argue that fund disbursements are guided by national fiscal priorities and the government's broader economic management framework.
The controversy emerges at a time when the government has made significant financial commitments to Ghana's agricultural sector as part of efforts to boost food production, strengthen food security, and support agribusiness development.
Under the 2026 national budget, government allocated approximately GH¢13.9 billion toward agriculture, aquaculture, and agribusiness initiatives, making the sector one of the key beneficiaries of public investment.
In addition to domestic funding commitments, the Finance Ministry has recently secured external financial support to bolster agricultural development.
Among these initiatives is a US$22.6 million World Bank financing package under the West Africa Food System Resilience Project (FSRP), aimed at enhancing food security and climate resilience across participating countries.
The government has also secured support from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to facilitate the development of agro-industrial processing zones intended to strengthen agricultural value chains and improve market access for farmers.
Despite these interventions, concerns about the pace of fund releases and implementation of agricultural programmes have continued to generate debate among the ministers.
The Ministry of Finance has consistently maintained that expenditure controls introduced under the Public Financial Management Act are necessary to safeguard fiscal discipline, stabilize the macroeconomy, and ensure efficient utilization of public resources.
The latest allegations are likely to fuel discussions about internal dynamics within the ruling NDC, particularly as political observers continue to monitor emerging alignments and rivalries ahead of future leadership contests within the party.