Accra: The Minority in Parliament is set to introduce the Public Financial Management (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at ensuring tighter discipline and greater accountability in the expenditure of public funds. This Private Member's Bill seeks to amend the existing Public Financial Management Act in Ghana, focusing on aligning budget allocations with development priorities approved by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC).
According to Ghana Web, the Ranking Member on Parliament's Economy and Development Committee and Ofoase-Ayirebi Member of Parliament, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, elaborated on the motivation behind the amendment during a stakeholder engagement session. He stated that the bill is intended to prevent the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, from disbursing funds to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), for projects not included in the country's officially sanctioned development framework.
Oppong Nkrumah emphasized that the proposed amendment aims to curb unplanned and discretionary spending that falls outside Ghana's long-term strategic agenda. He noted that the amendment seeks to prevent the Ministry of Finance from funding projects and programs not included in the strategic plan of the MMDA or MDA until they are certified as part of the NDPC's program.
The proposal mandates that every major project financed through the national budget must be part of a formally approved development plan, ensuring spending decisions are aligned with long-term national priorities rather than short-term considerations.
Camillo Pwamang, the Deputy Clerk to Parliament in charge of Legislative Management Services, stated that the amendment would enhance transparency by linking budget approvals to performance reporting. The bill would require development plans approved by the NDPC as the foundation for preparing the annual budget and mandate the publication of annual progress reports before including estimates in the budget and issuing expenditure warrants.
If enacted, the amendment would necessitate that government institutions not only align their plans with the NDPC's framework but also demonstrate progress before accessing further funding. Proponents argue that this could improve coordination, reduce waste, and ensure public funds are directed towards projects yielding measurable results for citizens.