Founder and Leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), Dr Hassan Ayariga, has accused the Finance Minister of withholding funds approved by Parliament, claiming the situation is preventing several ministries from implementing planned projects.
Speaking in an interview on Metro TV, shared on X on October 16, 2026, Dr Ayariga alleged that some ministers were struggling to carry out approved programmes because the Finance Ministry had not released the necessary resources.
He argued that the projects had already received parliamentary approval but were being delayed by the requirement for commitment authorisation before funds could be accessed.
“Some ministers are being starved of projects that are in front of them that have gone through Parliament, and gotten ratification and gotten Parliament to approve those budgets. Yet, the Minister for Finance sits in his office and becomes a demigod and is not releasing resources to any of them,” he said.
Dr Ayariga also criticised the Finance Minister’s reported justification for restricting releases, which he said was to prevent ministers from spending public funds on conferences and unnecessary travel.
“I saw him say something like that, which actually made me so upset, that he doesn't want to release money for them to go and be having conferences and travel anyhow and do what? What do you mean?” he asked.
He questioned the consistency of that position, pointing to what he described as the Finance Minister’s frequent trips from Accra to Volta Serene Hotel for press conferences and meetings.
“Every week, you go to Volta Serene Hotel. Drive from Accra every week. The hotel is owned by Sky, something like that. You are driving every day, every week, to go and have press conferences and to go and have meetings. That is not an expenditure,” he added.
Dr Ayariga maintained that the release of funds for approved projects should not be delayed while ministries struggle to carry out their responsibilities.
