Ho, Volta Region – April 2025 – The Government of Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to sound public financial management (PFM) and fiscal discipline during the 2025 Annual Conference of the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD), held in Ho.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Deputy Minister for Finance, Hon. Thomas Ampem Nyarko, underscored the vital role of the CAGD in the government’s ongoing efforts to reset the national economy and reinforce transparency in public financial administration.
Addressing a distinguished audience that included the Chief of Staff, Chairman of the Public Service Commission, the Auditor-General, and other dignitaries, Hon. Nyarko emphasized, “Every Ghanaian Cedi must be well-spent and accounted for,” adding that the economic challenges of recent years demand “unprecedented excellence in PFM.”
Key Reforms Unveiled
The Deputy Minister outlined several key reforms introduced in the first four months of the current administration, aimed at tightening fiscal discipline and promoting efficient resource use. These include:
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Amendments to the Public Financial Management and Procurement Acts
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Operationalization of a new fiscal compliance framework
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Comprehensive audit into existing financial commitments and arrears
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Enhanced oversight of State-Owned Enterprises and public investment projects
According to Hon. Nyarko, these measures are designed to curb reckless spending, reduce inefficiencies, and ensure strict budgetary discipline across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Technology-Driven Solutions
In a move to improve accountability and enhance fiscal efficiency, the Deputy Minister announced that the government is advancing the full integration of the Ghana Electronic Procurement System (GHANEPS) with the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).
He explained that this integration will ensure that contract approvals are granted only to projects within approved budget allocations.
Additionally, a payroll cleanup exercise is underway using the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Database Phase II, projected to save the public purse GH₵300 million annually through the elimination of ghost names.
To further reduce administrative inefficiencies, a new Digital Treasury Dashboard will be introduced to enable real-time tracking of public fund disbursements. This initiative is expected to reduce waste by at least 15%.
Capacity Building and Transparency
As part of the President’s Public Sector Digitization and Fiscal Accountability Agenda, the 2025 national budget has earmarked GH₵48 million to train over 3,200 public financial officers in international financial management practices and digital tools.
The government also plans to roll out an electronic Assets and Liabilities Declaration System in partnership with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Audit Service. This system aims to promote ethical leadership and greater transparency in public service.
Restoring Public Trust
While acknowledging the progress made, Hon. Nyarko emphasized the need to rebuild trust in the government's financial management systems.
“Ghanaians must believe that the era of recklessness and misuse of funds is truly over,” he said, urging the CAGD and stakeholders to recommit to institutional reforms and strategic collaborations that support transformative development.
Participants are encouraged to take an active part in the sessions and enjoy the cultural richness of the Volta Region, especially the scenic town of Atimpoku.