Finance Ministry to approve all MMDA contracts

Starting April 3, 2025, no government contract in Ghana will be awarded without prior approval from the Ministry of Finance. 

This new directive, announced by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, is aimed at curbing unauthorized spending and reinforcing fiscal discipline across all ministries, departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

Dr. Forson delivered this message firmly during a meeting with chief directors and senior government officials, stressing the need for stricter oversight to avoid unplanned financial commitments that strain the national budget.

He warned that any disregard for the directive would come with serious consequences, including the possibility of imprisonment for ministers or officials who act outside the approved process.

The policy aligns with recent amendments to the Public Financial Management Act, 2025, which introduce more rigorous controls to ensure accountability in government spending.

Dr. Forson was clear that the Ministry would not assume responsibility for financial obligations made outside approved budgetary limits. “Fiscal recklessness will no longer be shielded,” he declared. “Officers who violate this rule will bear personal responsibility.”

He urged public servants to act with integrity, warning that careless use of state resources deepens the economic burden on citizens. 

The directive comes in response to ongoing concerns raised in Auditor-General reports, which have frequently flagged irregularities in public contracting as a major source of financial waste. The Finance Minister emphasized that restoring public trust hinges on transparency and strict adherence to budgetary rules.