Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Finance Minister, has fired shots at the former Akufo-Addo government for living a champagne lifestyle on an ‘akpeteshie’ budget.
Ato Forson noted that the erstwhile Akufo-Addo government did not have revenue, but they were just spending.
He noted that the NPP are worried because the NDC is being prudent in its spending.
Speaking in an interview on JOYNEWS after the budget presentation, Ato Forson stated, “The NPP used to spend what they didn’t have. They didn’t have revenue, but they were just spending. So they expect us to spend.
They were living large. I mean, they were living a champagne lifestyle on akpeteshie budget”.
He added, “If you live such a lifestyle and someone comes in and becomes very prudent, you will be worried. That is why they are complaining — they want us to spend as if there’s no tomorrow.
“We don’t do that. That is not our training. You spend within your means; what we have is what we’re spending, and we’re spending rightly,” he stressed.
Ato Forson further, during the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament, refuted claims that the Mahama administration was not spending.
Ato Forson emphasised that the Mahama administration is indeed spending, but they are spending at the right places.
According to Ato Forson, between January to June 2025, they have disbursed a total of GH¢114.5 billion in cash from the Consolidated Fund.
He revealed that the non-interest expenditures alone amount to GH¢84.2 billion.
Ato Forson added that payments have been made across various important areas since the beginning of 2025.
Speaking during the presentation of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on Thursday, July 24, 2025, Dr Ato Forson stated, “Rt. Hon. Speaker, contrary to the perception that we are not spending, we are indeed spending—and spending at the right places. We are making the right investments”.
Ato Forson further listed the key payment areas, which include,
US$700 million to settle Eurobond obligations
GH¢10 billion to domestic bondholders
GH¢2.9 billion to the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF)
GH¢2.7 billion to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT)
GH¢9.1 billion to support the energy sector for a stable power supply
GH¢5 billion for the clearance of arrears
GH¢4.6 billion to the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund)
GH¢1 billion to support the Free Secondary Education programme
GH¢4.6 billion to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)
GH¢1.4 billion to settle NHIS claims
GH¢252 million for the procurement of vaccines and essential medicines
GH¢72.8 million for Capitation Grants
GH¢477 million to support beneficiaries of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme
GH¢895 million to the School Feeding Programme
GH¢122.8 million to cover BECE registration
GH¢300 million for the No Fee Stress Policy
GH¢191.7 million for Teacher Training Allowances
GH¢462.6 million for Nursing Training Allowances
GH¢25 million to pay Assembly Members’ allowances
GH¢21 million to support the National Apprenticeship Programme
GH¢34.5 million to the Adwumawura Programme
About GH¢2 billion to support the operations of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies
About GH¢2 billion to recapitalise the National Investment Bank (NIB)
“We are spending wisely, targeting the sectors that matter most to our people and our future”, he boldly emphasised.
See the post below:
The NPP government was living a champagne lifestyle on an ‘akpeteshie’ budget – Ato Forson#JoyNews pic.twitter.com/x8bsmuHk5W
— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) July 25, 2025
