The Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has announced a new policy directive that places tighter controls on government contract approvals—effective April 3, 2025, in a landmark move to reset the tone for public financial management in Ghana,
From now on, no government contract will be considered valid without prior commencement authorisation from the Ministry of Finance.
The directive, issued in a statement on Dr. Forson’s official X account, signals a transformative shift aimed at ending wasteful spending, enforcing discipline, and rebuilding public confidence in how state funds are managed.
“This is not business as usual. This is a decisive step to enforce fiscal discipline, ensure accountability, and end the culture of financial recklessness in public administration. Let me repeat: No commencement certificate, no procurement,” Dr. Forson stated following a high-level meeting with Chief Directors and senior officials of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The policy directive is in full alignment with the recently amended Public Financial Management Act, 2025, which introduces stricter governance over public expenditure and contract execution.
Dr. Forson was unequivocal in his message: “Let me repeat: No commencement certificate, no procurement. This is not merely a bureaucratic process—it is a legal requirement.”
Breaking from past norms, the Finance Minister declared that the era where fiscal missteps went unpunished is over. He warned that the Ministry will no longer absorb the fallout from unapproved contracts and spending misalignments. Instead, those responsible will face consequences—personally.
“Any breach of this directive will attract serious consequences. If you are a principal spending officer and you violate this directive, you will be held personally accountable,” he asserted.
Dr. Forson called on public officials across the country to rise to the occasion, act with integrity, and embrace a renewed sense of responsibility.
“We are among the privileged few—we must not continue to subject our people to hardship through negligence or abuse of public resources. Restoring trust in public service begins with transparency, responsibility, and discipline in implementing the national budget. That journey starts now,” he added.