Ministry of Finance denies withholding ABFA data from PIAC

The Ministry of Finance has rejected allegations by the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) that it withheld critical data regarding the Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA). In a statement released on October 23, 2026, the Ministry clarified that it had provided comprehensive information on petroleum receipts and distribution for the period covered by PIAC’s 2026 Semi-Annual Report. The dispute arose after PIAC noted an absence of ABFA utilization data in its latest oversight report, suggesting a lack of cooperation from the government.

According to the Ministry, the exclusion of certain data points in the final PIAC report should not be interpreted as a lack of transparency. Officials explained that ABFA resources have been strategically ring-fenced to fund the Accra-Kumasi Expressway project. The Ministry argued that this decision aligns with previous recommendations from PIAC itself, which suggested that oil revenues should be concentrated on large-scale, high-impact infrastructure projects rather than being distributed across numerous smaller, less impactful initiatives.

The Ministry further addressed concerns regarding the distribution of funds to local government structures, asserting that District Assemblies have not been deprived of their rightful share of petroleum revenues. The statement emphasized that these allocations are being managed appropriately alongside the priority funding for the expressway. Reaffirming its commitment to accountability, the Ministry pledged to continue its collaboration with PIAC and provide all necessary data for the effective oversight of Ghana’s petroleum wealth in future fiscal reports.