Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has called on public officials entrusted with state resources to remain accountable to citizens, insisting that government must be judged by the results it delivers with taxpayers’ money.
He said public funds belonged to the people and those responsible for managing them had an obligation to explain how the resources were used.
Addressing Parliament during the presentation of the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy on Thursday, November 12, Dr. Forson said the budget had outlined government’s spending priorities and what each allocation was expected to achieve.
“Rt. Hon. Speaker, public money belongs to the people. Those entrusted with it must answer to them,” he said.
The Finance Minister maintained that making the spending plans public was an important part of accountability, giving citizens the opportunity to assess government’s decisions and their outcomes.
“We have shown where their money will go in 2027 and the purpose it will serve,” he stated.
He added, “This is accountability at its highest, placing our spending choices before the people and accepting their right to judge us by the results.”
The accountability message featured alongside government’s planned GH¢98.3 billion capital expenditure for 2027, which Dr Forson described as part of a shift towards productive investment.
When capital expenditure financed through transfers to other government units is included, total capital expenditure rises to GH¢120.5 billion, equivalent to 6.7 per cent of GDP.
The Finance Minister said the increased investment was intended to put more public resources into assets that could expand production, create jobs and raise incomes.
His remarks place public scrutiny of government expenditure at the centre of the 2027 Budget, with citizens expected to assess not only the allocations announced but also the results achieved from the use of public funds.
