Finance minister clarifies agriculture ministry allocation dispute

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has dismissed suggestions of a disagreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture over allocations to the agricultural sector, describing the differing figures released by the two institutions as a misunderstanding arising from the distinction between budget releases and actual payments.

The exchange has also drawn attention to the distinction between budget releases approved by the Ministry of Finance and the actual cash disbursements received by spending agencies under Ghana's public financial management system." The Finance Minister explained that while the Ministry of Finance reports funds released for expenditure, sector ministries may refer to actual cash received or utilised, accounting for the apparent differences in the figures presented.