Cassiel Ato Forson tasks local leaders to recover lost public funds

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has issued a strong call for the recovery and protection of public resources, asserting that the country cannot afford financial waste. Speaking in Tamale during a high-level engagement on the 2025 Auditor-General’s Report, Dr. Forson emphasized that ‐every cedi has a job‐ and must be directed toward essential services. He urged regional and local government authorities to show a renewed commitment to financial accountability, ensuring that every cedi collected is fully accounted for.

The engagement brought together Regional Ministers and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to discuss practical steps for financial discipline. Dr. Forson urged these local leaders to act decisively on audit findings to safeguard financial resources. He highlighted that responsible management of public assets is critical to ensuring that state funds translate into tangible community benefits, such as improved healthcare, schools, and infrastructure projects.

During the meeting, the Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, commended the Finance Minister for his management of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF). He noted that under the administration of President John Mahama, the timely and improved release of these funds has provided significant relief to local assemblies. Minister John contrasted the current funding environment with previous struggles over the last eight years, stating that MMDCEs are now experiencing unprecedented financial support to drive development.

Dr. Forson’s address underscored the government's stance on fiscal responsibility at the local level. He called for a collective responsibility among all public officials to prevent future financial losses and maintain rigorous discipline in spending. The Minister concluded by urging local authorities to implement strict financial practices to ensure that the increased funding currently being released results in sustainable development for their respective communities.