The Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, has commented on the ongoing disagreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) over the release of funds for agricultural programmes.

The dispute centres on conflicting claims regarding the amount of money released to support the agriculture sector in 2026. While the Ministry of Finance maintains that it has disbursed more than GHS1.67 billion, representing about 85 percent of MoFA’s allocation for Goods and Services and Capital Expenditure, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture insists it has received only about GH¢910 million.

The Finance Ministry has cited records from the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), including warrant numbers, transaction journal references, and requisition dates, as evidence of the releases made to support programmes such as poultry development, fertiliser distribution, and Farmers’ Service Centres.

However, MoFA has challenged the claim, arguing that the actual funds available to the ministry do not correspond with the figures being cited and calling on the Finance Ministry to identify the specific accounts into which the funds were transferred.

Speaking on Ahotor FM on June 6, Mr. Koomson suggested that the Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, may be exercising caution in the release of public funds due to his past experiences with legal and political controversies.

According to him, the Finance Minister is likely ensuring that all financial procedures and due diligence requirements are fully complied with before funds are disbursed.

Mr. Koomson argued that this cautious approach may have contributed to misunderstandings among some government officials regarding the actual status of fund releases and budget execution.

He noted that while Parliament may approve expenditures, the processes involved in authorising, releasing, and making funds available for spending can sometimes create differing interpretations among stakeholders.

The disagreement between the two ministries has sparked broader public debate on transparency, accountability, and efficiency in government financial management, particularly within the agriculture sector, which remains critical to food security, employment, and economic growth.

Observers say clarity on the distinction between authorised allocations, released funds, and actual cash availability may be key to resolving the controversy.