Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has dismissed claims of a disagreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture over funding for the agricultural sector.
He said the different figures released by the two ministries resulted from a misunderstanding about the distinction between budget releases and actual cash payments.
The clarification follows public debate after the Ministry of Finance announced in the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review that it had released GH¢1.677 billion, representing about 85 per cent of the agriculture sector’s budget for goods, services and capital expenditure during the first half of the year.
However, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture later indicated that the actual cash available for spending during the same period was about GH¢910 million, raising questions over the apparent difference.
Releases are different from payments
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Thursday, July 23, Dr Forson explained that the two figures represent different stages of Ghana’s public financial management process.
“It is difficult for you to reconcile or compare payment to releases based on the explanation I’ve given to you. The two are not the same,” he said.
He stressed that a budgetary release approved by the Ministry of Finance does not automatically mean the funds have been paid in cash to the spending ministry.
“The two are not the same. We are saying two different things. One is talking about releases and one is saying how much I have,” he added.
No disagreement between ministries
Dr Forson maintained that there is no conflict between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
According to him, officials from both ministries have met to clarify the figures and now share a common understanding.
“I think it’s more about misunderstanding,” he said.
The Finance Minister disclosed that the Minister for Food and Agriculture had visited the Ministry of Finance to discuss the issue.
“No, there’s no issue. It is not an issue at all. We have since had a discussion around it,” he stated.
He added: “See, honestly, the minister for agriculture visited us to explain his side. We did also explain our side. There’s no issue at all.”
Mid-Year Budget Review
Dr Forson presented the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review to Parliament on July 23, outlining the government’s fiscal performance, expenditure and sectoral financing during the first half of the year.
The discussion over agriculture funding has highlighted the difference between budget releases approved by the Ministry of Finance and the actual cash disbursements received by ministries and agencies under Ghana’s public financial management system.
The Finance Minister said understanding that distinction is important to avoid misinterpreting government expenditure figures and budget implementation.
