Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has strongly refuted assertions by the Minority Caucus that GH¢78 million was allocated exclusively to his office.

He clarified that the funds are designated for three state agencies under his supervision, namely the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), the Information Services Department (ISD), and the Ghana News Agency (GNA).

The controversy arose after the Minority, on Thursday, March 13, questioned the justification for the budgetary allocation, arguing that the expenditure on government communication was excessive.

Tano North MP, Gideon Boako, criticised the allocation, suggesting that it was primarily for Kwakye Ofosu and his deputy, Shamima Muslim, along with a handful of research assistants monitoring social media and responding to criticisms.

He implied that a significant portion of the budget was intended for internet data and other minor expenses.

Speaking on Citi FM, Kwakye Ofosu dismissed these claims, stressing that the funds were not assigned to his personal office.

He explained that GH¢8.8 million was allocated for goods and services, while GH¢70 million was earmarked for capital expenditure.

“Let me put it on record that my office has not been allocated GH¢78 million. It is the three agencies under my purview who have been given GH¢8.8 million in goods and services allocation and GH¢70 million in capital expenditure allocation,” he stated.

He further highlighted the longstanding role of these institutions in government communication, noting that ISD, GBC, and GNA have been in existence for decades and are not new creations under President Mahama’s administration.

“GBC, the Information Services Department, and GNA are long-standing state agencies. ISD has been in existence for 85 years, same as GBC, same as GNA,” he explained, dismissing the Minority’s suggestion that the allocation was unjustified.

Kwakye Ofosu firmly reiterated that the GH¢78 million allocation was strictly for the operations of these agencies, not his personal office.

He emphasised that any attempt to misrepresent the budget as personal expenditure was misleading. “GH¢78 million has been allocated to them for goods and services, not my office,” he clarified.