By Issah Olegor
As Ghana navigates a critical juncture in its economic management, questions are emerging over whether the Minister for Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson is leveraging his influence within the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ministry of Finance to consolidate political capital ahead of a potential presidential bid.
Dr. Forson, who hails from the Central Region, has in recent months made sweeping changes and issued stern directives aimed at tightening fiscal discipline across government agencies, making him the centerpiece of disbursing government resources.
However, critics and political observers are beginning to scrutinize the strategic placements and power consolidations occurring under his watch—particularly within the GRA.
Central Region Bloc
A notable pattern has emerged in the leadership of the country’s key revenue institutions.
The Commissioner-General of the GRA, the Chairman of the GRA Board, the Commissioner for Domestic Tax Revenue, and the Finance Minister himself—all hail from the Central Region.
The current GRA Board Chairman, George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan, is a former Deputy Finance Minister and the sitting MP for Cape Coast South and deputy Majority Leader in Parliament.
He was recently appointed by Dr. Forson to chair the newly inaugurated GRA Board. The Commissioner General, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong is also from the Central Region just as the Commissioner, Domestic Tax Revenue, Edward Gyamerah and another board member, Madam Faustina Nelson.
The concentration of such critical appointments within one geographic region is raising eyebrows within political circles.
Analysts suggest this could be part of a deliberate strategy by Ato Forson to build a “war chest” for a future presidential campaign by centralizing control over domestic revenue collection.
Clampdown on Contracts
The minister has also taken firm control over public spending, instructing all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to halt any contract awards unless explicitly approved by his Ministry.
“No commencement certificate, no procurement,” he declared during a meeting with senior public servants in Accra in April.
He emphasized that this move was not merely procedural, but a legal requirement under the newly amended Public Financial Management Act, 2025. Violators, he warned, would be held personally accountable.
“This is not business as usual,” he said. “It is a decisive step to enforce fiscal discipline, ensure accountability, and put an end to the culture of financial recklessness in public administration.”
While this directive has been praised by some as a necessary step to curtail wasteful expenditure, others argue that it centralizes too much power in the hands of the Finance Ministry—effectively giving Dr. Forson sole authority over the disbursement of public funds.
GRA Board
At the recent inauguration of the GRA Board, Dr. Forson underscored the critical role of domestic revenue mobilisation in driving national development.
He challenged the board to act with urgency, discipline, and innovation in tackling smuggling, expanding the tax net, and improving compliance without overburdening citizens.
“This is a defining moment for revenue excellence in our country,” he said.
The newly sworn-in board includes a mix of political loyalists, technocrats, and former public officials.
Alongside Ricketts-Hagan, the board features Anthony Kwasi Sarpong (GRA Commissioner General), Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Trade Minister, Dr. Zakaria Mumuni, Faustina Nelson, George Ayiretey, Laadi Ayamba, and Francis-Xavier Sosu.
Power or Prudence?
While Dr. Ato Forson frames his actions as reforms aimed at restoring fiscal discipline and integrity, his growing influence across revenue institutions and government procurement processes cannot be ignored.
Political analysts say he is positioning himself as the most fiscally responsible and nationally-minded candidate within the ruling political establishment—an image that could serve him well in a future presidential race.
Whether this is a genuine effort to curb corruption or a calculated bid to build political capital remains to be seen.
