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The Finance Committee of Parliament has expressed several concerns regarding the Ministry of Finance’s request for GH₵500 million from the Contingency Fund to address the severe drought affecting Northern Ghana.
Speaking with Selorm Adonoo on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Wednesday, Isaac Adongo, the Ranking Member of the committee and Member of Parliament for Bolga Central, outlined three critical issues that must be addressed before the committee can consider approving the request.
First, Adongo highlighted the need for clarification on the status of previous financial advances. He referenced the $200 million advance from the Stabilisation Fund to the Contingency Fund approved by the committee during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. At the time, due to exchange rates, this amounted to $1.2 billion. The committee has requested an update on the current status of this advance and whether the funds have been replenished.
Secondly, the committee has requested a detailed breakdown of the beneficiaries of the GH₵500 million support. This includes information at the regional, district, and community levels, and ideally, the identification of specific individuals who will benefit from the funds.
Finally, Adongo pointed out that while the Ministry’s budget submission outlined a total fiscal implication of GH₵8.36 billion, the committee’s current focus is solely on the GH₵500 million request. They require a specific budget detailing how the GH₵500 million will be allocated to effectively address the drought.
Adongo stressed that the committee has not yet made a decision on the request, and that their approval will depend on the provision of the requested information and the insights it provides.
“The committee unanimously agreed that certain compliance issues must be addressed. We have asked for an update on the $1.2 billion advance from 2020, a comprehensive breakdown of beneficiaries, and a detailed budget showing the allocation of the GH₵500 million specifically for drought relief. The committee’s decision will be based on the data provided and its implications,” Adongo stated.
