News
Vincent Ekow Asafuah accuses government of breaching financial laws over road projects
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
News
CSA urges Universities to strengthen cybersecurity following university of Nottingham cyber-attack
The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has cautioned universities and other operators of Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) in Ghana to comply with cybersecurity regulations following a recent cyber-attack on the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom.
In a press release issued on June 16, 2026, the Authority said the incident should serve as a warning to educational institutions that no organisation is immune to cyber threats, regardless of its size, reputation or technological capacity.
According to the CSA, the attack on the University of Nottingham is believed to have affected about 450,000 students and alumni, exposing sensitive information such as personal records, contact details, student identification information and financial data.
The Authority noted that although the breach occurred outside Ghana, it has important lessons for the country’s education sector as well as other critical sectors including health, telecommunications and transportation.
The CSA explained that Ghanaian universities are increasingly relying on digital technologies such as student information systems, online learning platforms, cloud services, digital payment systems and research collaborations.
While these technologies improve efficiency and access to services, they also create opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities.
“The question is therefore not whether Ghanaian universities or other critical sectors will be attacked, but whether they are sufficiently prepared when an attack occurs,” the statement said.
The Authority reminded institutions to adhere to the Directive for the Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure, which was launched in October 2021 to strengthen cybersecurity across critical sectors.
According to the CSA, the directive requires organisations to establish cybersecurity governance structures, conduct risk assessments, implement security controls, report incidents, carry out regular audits and develop effective incident response plans.
The Authority said these measures are intended to reduce the likelihood and impact of cyber-attacks and help protect essential services and national interests.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Former NPP flagbearer aspirant, Kennedy Agyapong, has criticised both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the delayed completion of the Afari Military Hospital and other stalled health infrastructure projects.
Mr. Agyapong made the remarks on Tuesday after donating a pickup truck, an incubator and personal protective equipment (PPEs) to the 37 Military Hospital as part of activities marking his 66th birthday.
Speaking at the event, he said successive governments had failed to complete the Afari Military Hospital despite having years in office to do so.
According to him, the project was initiated during the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor and construction later commenced under the NDC.
Mr. Agyapong, who previously chaired Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, said he was aware of the project’s challenges and insisted that both the NPP and NDC should be held accountable for the delays.
“We will criticise the NDC and we will criticise the NPP. That’s the only way to go,” he said.
He noted that the previous NPP administration spent eight years in office without completing the facility and questioned attempts to place the blame solely on the current government.
The former Assin Central MP called on Ghanaians to put national development ahead of partisan politics and demand accountability from all political parties.
He said the country would make greater progress if leaders focused on completing critical projects and delivering results rather than engaging in political point-scoring.
By: Jacob Aggrey
