Dr Gideon Boako, Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Finance Committee and MP for Tano North, has accused President John Dramani Mahama’s administration of running a bloated government expenditure despite earlier criticisms of the previous government.

Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana on Tuesday, March 11, Dr Boako argued that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, particularly Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, had failed to match its rhetoric on lean governance with action.

According to Dr. Boako, the NDC heavily criticised former President Akufo-Addo’s administration for maintaining a large government and allocating significant funds to the Office of the President.

“The NDC, particularly Ato Forson, made a lot of noise about the size of Akufo-Addo’s government and the budget that was allocated to the Office of the President,” he stated.

While acknowledging the reduction in the number of ministers as a commendable move, he expected a corresponding decrease in overall government expenditure, especially in line with the NDC’s promises to cut costs and reduce taxes.

However, Dr Boako pointed out what he described as a contradiction in the government’s budgetary allocations.

“In 2024, Akufo-Addo spent 250 billion cedis as total appropriation. In 2025, Mahama is seeking to spend 290 billion” he revealed.

He argued that this sharp increase in spending raises concerns about the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline and economic efficiency.

The Tano North MP further questioned how the Mahama administration intends to balance its revenue and expenditure, given its pledge to cut spending while managing revenue shortfalls.

“Ato Forson said they will stop the bleeding, but that is not even the case,” he remarked.

According to Dr. Boako, Appendix 4a, in the budget statement on page 133, allocates GHc2.7 billion to be spent at the office of government machinery in 2025 for compensation, meanwhile President Akufo-Addo used GHc327 million in 2024 for the same office under for compensation.

Dr. Boako also pointed out that the budget of GHc78 million cedis and GHc70 million respecticrly allocated to government communications and research department at the office of the president are far in excess of the budgetary allocations to almost five miniseries under president Akufo-Addo. He questions where the expenditure cuts are.

Dr Boako urged Ghanaians to critically examine the government’s financial management and demand accountability to ensure that national resources are used prudently.