By Daniel Bampoe
A brewing internal storm is unfolding within the Mahama administration, as several sector ministers and top-level appointees have expressed outrage over what they describe as unilateral and overreaching actions by the Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson.
The controversy centers on the minister’s recent directive requiring all contract documents from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to receive his prior approval before they can proceed.
This decision, which Dr. Forson says is grounded in law and aimed at instilling fiscal discipline, has not gone done well with some of his cabinet colleagues.
Speaking anonymously to The Daily Gist, several ministers accused the Finance Minister of bypassing long-standing administrative protocols and effectively centralizing procurement powers under his office.
“This is not how things have been done under previous administrations, even during President Mahama’s first term,” a frustrated sector minister remarked.
“This practice gives the Finance Minister excessive gatekeeping power, and some believe it could be used to extract political or personal gain.”
Others have reportedly conveyed their concerns directly to President John Mahama, calling on him to reverse the directive and restore balance among the ministries.
Centralized Control
The roots of the tension can be traced back to Ato Forson’s sweeping reforms since his appointment in early 2025.
He has positioned himself as a staunch advocate for financial discipline, insisting that all MDAs must adhere strictly to the amended Public Financial Management Act, 2025.
Under this law, any public contract that lacks a commencement certificate from the Finance Ministry is considered invalid.
“This is not business as usual,” Forson declared at an April meeting with top civil servants.
“We will no longer tolerate fiscal recklessness. Every cedi spent must be accounted for.”
But while the intent may be reformist, the implementation has drawn allegations of political maneuvering.
Central Region Bloc and GRA Appointments
Critics point to what they see as a pattern of consolidation of institutional power.
Several key figures within the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ministry of Finance now hail from the Central Region—Dr. Forson’s home base.
The Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, Domestic Tax Revenue Commissioner, Edward Gyamerah, GRA Board Chair George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan, and board member Faustina Nelson are all from the region.
Ricketts-Hagan, a close political ally of Ato Forson and sitting MP for Cape Coast South, was recently appointed as chair of the newly constituted GRA Board by the minister himself.
This concentration of authority has sparked unease, with some analysts warning that Forson may be using these appointments to build a political “war chest” in preparation for a future presidential bid.
At the inauguration of the new GRA Board, Dr. Forson urged the team to revamp domestic revenue mobilization and close tax loopholes without overburdening citizens.
He described the moment as a “defining” one for Ghana’s fiscal future and emphasized innovation, transparency, and accountability.
Yet, behind the public rhetoric, a more complex narrative is unfolding. Political insiders and observers suggest Ato Forson’s approach may be less about policy and more about power.
By placing himself at the heart of government spending and tax administration, he controls the two levers that most influence governance: revenue inflows and expenditure approvals.
Calls for Presidential Intervention
As murmurs of dissent grow louder within the cabinet, pressure is mounting on President Mahama to intervene and address the power imbalance.
Though the Finance Minister hasn’t comment to defend his actions as being in line with the law, some fear the long-term implications for governance, internal cohesion, and political trust within the administration.
