Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has issued a firm directive barring all government institutions from awarding contracts without prior authorisation from the Ministry of Finance, effective April 3, 2025.
Speaking at a meeting with Chief Directors and senior officials of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), the Minister made it clear that all public contracts must now receive a commencement authorisation certificate from the Finance Ministry before they are approved.
“This is not business as usual,” Dr. Forson stressed. “No commencement certificate, no procurement.”
The directive is part of broader efforts to enforce fiscal discipline and end the culture of financial recklessness in public service. It also aligns with the recently amended Public Financial Management Act, 2025.
Dr. Forson warned that any public official who violates this directive will face severe consequences.
“The Ministry of Finance will no longer carry the weight of fiscal indiscipline alone. Principal spending officers will be held personally accountable,” – he said.
He further urged all government officials to act with integrity and a sense of national duty.
“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.”
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Ebenezer Madugu