Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has rejected suggestions of a disagreement between his ministry and the Minister of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) Eric Opoku over the release of GH¢1.6 billion in government funds, describing the controversy as a misunderstanding caused by differences in the interpretation of public finance terminology.

Dr Forson said there was no conflict between the two ministries, explaining that officials from both sides were referring to different stages of the government’s expenditure process.

“There is no problem. I think it’s a misconception that started when the Deputy Minister of Finance, my deputy, made a statement which the Ministry of Agriculture also responded to,” Dr Forson said on the Citi Breakfast Show on Friday, July 24, 2026.

“But I think the bottom line is that they were all speaking about two different things, and it is coming as a result of a lack of understanding of the terminologies being used by both sides,” he added.

The issue arose in June 2026 after Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Ampem Nyarko announced that the government had released about GH¢1.6 billion to MoFA, representing approximately 85% of the ministry’s 2026 allocation for Goods and Services and Capital Expenditure (CAPEX).

However, officials from MoFA challenged the claim, explaining that although the release had been communicated, the ministry had not received the full amount mentioned by the Finance Ministry.

Clarifying the matter, Dr Forson said the confusion was largely due to the difference between “releases” and “payments” within government accounting procedures.

“One, the Ministry—or the Deputy Minister’s statement made reference to releases. And two, the Ministry of Agric’s representatives spoke and also made reference to payments. There is some significant difference between releases and payment,” he explained.

He noted that a release means funds have been allocated and made available to a ministry through the government’s financial system, while payment takes place after the ministry completes the necessary procedures and draws funds from the Consolidated Fund.

“For example, goods and services: I give you allotment, because what may be in the budget for the first quarter and the second quarter, I can give allotment below the budgetary allocation, because the budget is only an estimate based on projections of revenue,” he said.

“And so I can give allotment maybe 75% of that amount, and accordingly release that 75% to you, or maybe 100% to you. Your responsibility is to go through the system, generate invoices, send to Controller, and access the cash,” he added.

Data from the Ministry of Finance indicates that releases for Goods and Services had reached 94.73% of the approved allocation, while Capital Expenditure releases stood at 74.66%.

The disagreement generated public attention, particularly because both Dr Forson and Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku have been mentioned as possible contenders in future National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearership contests, prompting speculation that the issue could have political dimensions.

Dr Forson, however, dismissed such suggestions, insisting that the matter was strictly administrative and unrelated to political rivalry or personal differences.

“It has nothing to do with friction or something. It is about misunderstanding of terms,” he said.