The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) has challenged claims attributed to the Ministry of Finance that GH¢1.6 billion—representing about 85% of its 2026 budget—has been released for its operations, describing the figures as inconsistent with official budget execution documents.

In a statement issued by the Media Liaison Officer at MOFA, Samuel Huntor, the Ministry said its review of budget authorisation and allotment documents does not support the reported release figure.

According to MOFA, the Ministry of Finance issued a Commitment Authorization on February 15, 2026, permitting the commencement of procurement processes under specified conditions.

However, MOFA noted that a subsequent First and Second Quarter Budget Allotment Letter issued on February 19, 2026, set a clear spending ceiling for the ministry.

The statement indicated that the allotment letter capped MOFA’s total expenditure for the first half of 2026 at GH¢910 million, with an accompanying schedule further restricting actual spending to approximately GH¢453 million for the period, covering compensation, contracts, and operational expenses.

MOFA further outlined allocations within the approved envelope for key programmes, including Farmer Service Centres (GHS172.5 million), fertiliser and certified seeds (GHS77.3 million), the Nkokonkitinkiti Programme (GHS36.7 million), the National Food Buffer Stock Company (GHS30 million), irrigation infrastructure (GHS26.25 million), and the Feed Ghana Programme (GHS4.5 million).

The Ministry stressed that since the issuance of the allotment letter, no additional communication has been received from the Ministry of Finance authorising further expenditure that would justify the GHS1.6 billion figure.

It questioned the basis of the reported claim, insisting that public financial management is guided strictly by approved allotments, cash releases, and documented expenditure ceilings.

“For the avoidance of doubt, MOFA has not seen any official instruction that supports the assertion that GHS1.6 billion has been released,” the statement said.

The Ministry urged accuracy and transparency in public communication on budget execution, particularly in sectors central to food security and national development.