The government has strongly dismissed claims by the opposition regarding the alleged inflated budget allocated to the Office of The President, clarifying that the GH¢2.7 billion cited in recent discussions pertains to salaries of additional civil servants, not discretionary funds for President John Mahama’s personal use.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of State responsible for Government Communications and spokesperson for President Mahama, explained in detail in a video posted across his social media accounts that the budget allocation under scrutiny covers numerous civil servants who were reassigned to the Office of Government Machinery following the consolidation of ministries.
“The 2.7 billion Ghana cedis allocated to the Office of Government Machinery is specifically to cater for salaries of civil servants from several agencies now operating under the presidency following the collapse of their parent ministries,” Mr Ofosu stated.
He emphasised that President Mahama had significantly reduced the number of ministries from 30 to 23, resulting in substantial savings in ministerial salaries, allowances, and operational costs.
Agencies previously under collapsed ministries, such as the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Information Services Department, and Ghana News Agency, now have their budgets consolidated under the Office of the President.
“President Mahama has not hired any additional civil servants beyond those already in public service,” Ofosu clarified. “These funds do not represent discretionary spending or personal allocations to the President but reflect statutory payments to civil servants.”
Mr Ofosu further pointed out the administration’s commitment to lean and efficient governance, highlighting the reduction in political appointees at Jubilee House from 336 under the previous administration to only 30 currently.
The government spokesperson accused members of the opposition, particularly Dr Gideon Boako and Hon Abu Jinapor, of engaging in deliberate misinformation intended to erode public confidence in the government.
“The misinformation campaign is an attempt to create false equivalences with the previous administration, which was widely criticised for its excessive discretionary spending,” Ofosu concluded.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu further assured the public of continued transparency and prudent management of national resources.
