Government Justifies GH¢2.7 Billion Budget for the Office of the President
Accra, March 14, 2025 – The Ghanaian government has clarified that the GH¢2.7 billion allocated to the Office of the President in the 2025 Budget is primarily for the salaries of public sector workers whose agencies now fall under the presidency for administrative purposes.
Clarification from Government Communications Minister
In a Facebook video broadcast, Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, dismissed concerns that the funds were for the president’s personal use.
🔹 Key Explanations:
- The allocation includes salaries for civil servants reassigned from ministries that were scrapped or merged.
- No new recruitments have been made—these expenses were already part of government spending but are now reflected under the presidency.
Which Agencies Are Affected?
The 2025 Budget, presented by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on March 11, indicates that the Office of Government Machinery (OGM) now oversees salaries for:
✅ Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) – 1,115 employees
✅ Information Services Department (ISD) – 1,309 employees
✅ Ghana News Agency (GNA) – 133 employees
✅ National Security Council & Intelligence Agencies, including:
- National Intelligence Bureau (NIB, formerly BNI)
- National Signals Bureau
- Research Department
GH¢78 Million for State Media, Not Propaganda
Addressing concerns over an additional GH¢78 million budgeted for the presidency, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu clarified that the funds are for:
📢 Operational costs of state-owned media & public information agencies, including GBC, ISD, and GNA.
🚫 Not a separate budget for political propaganda.
Cuts in Discretionary Spending
The government has also reduced discretionary spending at the presidency by GH¢345 million, including:
📉 GH¢76 million cut from the goods and services budget.
📉 GH¢269 million cut from the capital expenditure budget.
This restructuring aims to enhance efficiency while ensuring critical government functions remain funded.
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