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Vincent Ekow Asafuah accuses government of breaching financial laws over road projects
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Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Asafuah, has accused the government of acting unlawfully in granting multi-year expenditure approval for road projects without parliamentary authorization.
In a statement titled “Government of Illegality, Thievery and Hypocrisy,” the legislator described the move as a clear violation of the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act and the 1992 Constitution.
Mr Asafuah alleged that the Ministry of Finance has given approval to the Ministry of Roads and Highways to commit over GH¢50.9 billion for the “Big Push” programme over a three-year period from 2025 to 2027 without the necessary approval from Parliament.
He explained that although Parliament approved GH¢13 billion for the Big Push Project in the 2025 budget, the Finance Ministry went ahead to approve additional spending commitments for the next two years, an act he described as “blatant illegality.”
Quoting Section 33 of the Public Financial Management Act, the MP stressed that no government entity is allowed to enter into financial commitments that bind the state for more than one fiscal year without parliamentary authorization.
“This government’s quest to perpetuate illegality has reached a crescendo. The Ministry of Finance has acted in breach of both the PFM Act and Article 181 of the Constitution” Mr Asafuah stated.
He further warned that the move could worsen Ghana’s fiscal situation, noting that the government had already struggled to raise enough revenue to fund its projects.
“Given that only GH¢7.6 billion has been approved for 2025 against a GH¢13 billion budget, this government will most definitely accumulate arrears running into billions,” he said.
Mr Asafuah questioned the cost of certain road projects under the Big Push programme, citing the 71-kilometre Enchi–Elubo road, which he said would cost taxpayers about GH¢1.5 billion.
According to him, this translates to about US$1.7 million per kilometre, which he described as “excessive and unjustifiable.”
He accused the government of hypocrisy, comparing the current cost of road construction to what the ruling party previously criticized under the former administration.
“The same people who condemned the NPP for building a kilometre of road at one million dollars are now doing it for 1.7 million dollars. What kind of integrity is this?” he questioned.
Mr Asafuah called on the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and civil society organizations to take note of what he described as “reckless financial conduct” by the government.
He urged Parliament to assert its oversight authority and prevent further breaches of the law in public financial management.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Businessman Mr. Ibrahim Mahama has denied reports linking him to a takeover bid for the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO).
His reaction follows a demonstration by members of the VALCO Labour Union today, during which some protesters alleged that Mr. Mahama was interested in acquiring the state-owned aluminium company.
In a statement issued by his Special Aide, Rafik Mahama, the businessman said he has “no such interest” and has not made any offer to acquire VALCO.
“The allegation is the latest in several vile attempts to impute the integrity of Mr. Ibrahim Mahama and subject him to needless public engagements,” the statement said.
The statement added that Mr. Mahama’s business track record speaks for itself, describing his companies as “some of the best-run operations across the African continent.”
It further noted that all of Mr. Mahama’s business interests were “legally commenced or acquired” and operate within the law a fact it said explains why his businesses have endured across seven election cycles.
“Mr. Mahama remains committed to contributing his quota to the development of Ghana by investing in business opportunities in Ghana and beyond,” the statement added.
The statement also disclosed that Mr. Mahama has instructed his lawyers to take the necessary legal action over the publication and allegations.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The leadership of Kristo Asafo has dismissed reports circulating on social media and in some media outlets that the late Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka will be buried on July 30, 2026, describing the claim as false.
The current head of the Kantanka family and leader of Kristo Asafo, Kwadwo Safo Akofena Kantanka, addressed the issue during a press conference in Accra today.
He said no burial date has been set and urged members of the church and the general public to disregard any unofficial announcements.
“I urge the members of Kristo Asafo and the nation to disregard any burial date out there,” Akofena said.
He further stressed that neither the leadership of the church nor the Kantanka family has made any such announcement regarding the funeral.
According to him, all official funeral arrangements will be communicated only through a formal statement from the Kantanka family when the time is due.
Akofena Safo Kantanka said the family remains united in ensuring that the final funeral rites are conducted in a manner that befits the legacy of the late Apostle.
He called on Ghanaians to remain calm and wait for the official communication from the family, warning against the spread of misinformation.
Background
Apostle Dr. Ing. Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, founder and spiritual leader of Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana, passed away recently, plunging the church and the nation into mourning.
The late Apostle was widely known not only as a religious leader but also as an industrialist, inventor, and founder of the Kantanka Group of Companies, which manufactures vehicles and other machinery in Ghana.
Since his passing, there has been heightened public interest in his funeral arrangements.
It would be recalled that a faction of the siblings and family led by former MP Adwoa Safo had earlier announced a proposed burial date and arrangements.
That announcement, however, has been rejected by the current leadership of both the church and the family.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
