Ghana’s Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, has sent a strong warning to all public officials — business as usual is over.
In a firm directive shared on his Facebook page, the Minister announced that from April 3, 2025, no government contract will be approved without prior commencement authorisation from the Ministry of Finance.
“This is not business as usual. This is a decisive step to enforce fiscal discipline, ensure accountability, and end the culture of financial recklessness in public administration,” he stated.
Addressing Chief Directors and senior officials of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), Ato Forson made it clear that this new policy fully aligns with the recently amended Public Financial Management Act, 2025.
“Let me repeat: No commencement certificate, no procurement,” he stressed.
According to him, this is not just another bureaucratic process — it is now a legal requirement. He warned that any breach of this directive will come with serious consequences, and individual principal spending officers will be held personally responsible for violations.
“The Ministry of Finance will no longer carry the weight of fiscal indiscipline alone,” he declared.
Calling for integrity and responsibility in public office, Ato Forson believes this is the first step towards restoring public trust in governance.
“Restoring trust in public service begins with transparency, responsibility, and discipline in implementing the national budget. That journey starts now,” he concluded.
