Communications Ministry denies claims of misuse of public funds

The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations (MOCDTI) has dismissed allegations circulating on social media that the sector minister, Samuel Nartey George, has “blown” public funds, describing the claims as misleading and taken out of context.

In an official statement issued to media houses, the Ministry said it had taken notice of a document being widely shared online and clarified that the document in question was merely part of a broader administrative process seeking approval for planned government expenditure.

According to the Ministry, the circulated document was “an extract from a broader official submission seeking Commitment Authorisation from the Ministry of Finance, in line with established public financial management and procurement procedures, and based on budgetary allocations duly approved by Parliament for the 2026 fiscal year.”

The statement explained that the request covered several intended projects, operational activities, and programme interventions expected to be undertaken by the Ministry during the year under review.

The Ministry stressed that the process was still incomplete and that no money had yet been released or spent.

“It is important to emphasise that the said Commitment Authorisation request is yet to receive approval from the Ministry of Finance. Consequently, no funds have been released, disbursed or expended in relation to the items referenced in the circulating document,” the statement said.

The clarification comes amid heightened public scrutiny over government spending and increasing social media commentary surrounding public sector procurement and budget allocations.

MOCDTI further rejected assertions that the Minister had already squandered public resources, insisting that the narrative being circulated online distorted the facts surrounding the document.

“The Ministry therefore describes the claims suggesting that public funds have already been squandered as inaccurate, misleading and devoid of context and must be treated with the contempt it deserves,” the statement added.

The Ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to accountability and compliance with Ghana’s public financial management laws in the discharge of its mandate.

“The Ministry remains committed to transparency, accountability and strict adherence to all public financial management regulations in the execution of its mandate,” the statement signed by the Ministry’s Public Relations Directorate concluded.