National Third Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abanga Yakubu Alhassan, has defended the government’s expenditure control measures, insisting that responsible financial management should not be mistaken for a failure to spend.
He said requiring Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to justify their expenditure and obtain the necessary authorisation before spending public funds was essential to ensuring accountability and fiscal discipline.
In a statement, Mr Alhassan described the commitment authorisation regime being enforced by the Ministry of Finance as a key measure for promoting prudent financial management and ensuring the judicious use of scarce public resources.
“There is nothing wrong with requiring ministries to justify their expenditure and obtain the necessary release of funds before spending taxpayers’ money. That is precisely what fiscal discipline, accountability, and prudent financial management demand,” he said.
He added that the mechanism strengthened expenditure controls and ensured that public funds were properly accounted for and used to deliver value to Ghanaians.
“Commitment authorisation strengthens expenditure controls and promotes the judicious use of public resources. Every cedi must be properly accounted for and deliver real value to Ghanaians,” he noted.
Mr Alhassan said President John Dramani Mahama had promised Ghanaians efficient and responsible use of public funds, adding that Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson was working to fulfil that commitment through stricter expenditure controls.
“President John Mahama promised to ensure the efficient use of public funds, and Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson is actively advancing that vision through stronger expenditure controls and strict fiscal discipline,” he said.
He urged Ghanaians to support the Finance Minister and his office in implementing policies aimed at safeguarding public funds and improving citizens’ welfare.
“Let us support him and his office to implement policies that will improve the welfare of Ghanaians! Responsible financial management is not a failure to spend; it is a commitment to spend wisely,” he added.