Public Money Belongs To The People, Mot Gov’t Officials – Ato Forson

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has issued a stern warning to public sector workers and state officials, reminding them that state resources belong exclusively to the citizenry and must be managed with absolute transparency, integrity, and strict accountability.

Speaking on fiscal discipline and public sector governance, Dr. Ato Forson emphasized that individuals entrusted with public office hold positions of high responsibility. He urged every public official to account for every cedi entrusted to their care, stressing that state coffers are not personal or institutional slush funds.

The Finance Minister called for a massive overhaul of financial management systems across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). He noted that weak internal controls have historically allowed financial leakages and procurement irregularities to persist.

According to Dr. Ato Forson, robust preventive frameworks must be implemented immediately to eliminate waste, curb institutional corruption, and make the recovery of misappropriated public funds a rare exception rather than an annual ritual.

“Public money belongs to the people, not government officials,” Dr. Ato Forson stated, adding that the state will no longer tolerate reckless expenditure or lax accounting practices.

His remarks align with the government’s broader policy agenda to restore fiscal credibility, reinforce public expenditure tracking, and ensure that every pesewa collected from taxpayers is channeled directly into meaningful national development and infrastructural growth. Governance experts have welcomed the stance, noting that strict enforcement of financial laws and punitive actions for offenders are crucial to safeguarding public funds.

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