Agric Ministry disputes Finance Ministry's 85% budget release claim, citing 12.4% actual release

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has publicly refuted claims made by the Ministry of Finance regarding budget releases for 2026. The Finance Ministry had announced the release of GH¢1.67 billion, representing 85% of the agricultural sector's budget. However, MoFA insists this figure is misleading.

In a press statement, MoFA clarified that as of May 29, 2026, actual budget releases amounted to only GH¢244,321,150 out of an approved GH¢1,970,686,606. This represents a mere 12.4% of the total allocation, indicating substantial funding shortfalls.

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The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has disputed claims by the Ministry of Finance that it has released 85 percent of its 2026 budget allocation, insisting that actual releases as of May 29, 2026 amounted to only 12.4 percent of its approved budget.

The ministry detailed the impact of these shortfalls on various critical programs. For Goods and Services, only about 15% of the approved budget was released. The "Poultry Farm-to-Table Project" received roughly 27.5% of its allocation, while the "Fertiliser and Certified Seeds Programme" was severely underfunded, receiving only about 3%.

Furthermore, the National Food Buffer Stock Company received no funding for grain purchases, despite an allocation of GH¢200 million. MoFA also expressed concern over the complete lack of releases for capital expenditure, particularly for the construction of 50 Farmers’ Service Centres, which had an approved budget of GH¢690 million. This has stalled procurement and implementation activities for this vital initiative.

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On the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) side, no releases had been made for the construction of the Fifty (50) Farmers’ Service Centres, despite an approved budget allocation of GH¢690,000,000. Consequently, procurement processes and implementation activities for this critical intervention remain adversely affected.