In a detailed and critical post, Mahama Tiah Abdul-Kabiru, the Member of Parliament for Walewal, has raised significant concerns regarding the Office of Government Machinery’s (OGM) budget allocation. Abdul-Kabiru’s post scrutinizes the recent justifications provided by the Minister for Communication and NDC supporters for the GHC 2.7 billion compensation under OGM and the total budget of GHC 4.1 billion allocated for OGM and claims the Minister and some NDC members want to keep the money for themselves.
Abdul-Kabiru acknowledges the argument that OGM now includes the National Security Ministry and the Ministry of Information. However, he points out that several other agencies, such as the Zongo Development Fund, Northern Development Authority, Coastal Development Authority, Middlebelt Development Authority, National Identification Authority, Home Rental Scheme, Public Enterprises, and Scholarship Secretariat, which were previously part of OGM under President Akufo-Addo, are no longer included under President Mahama. He argues that more agencies have been removed from OGM than added, questioning the substantial increase in budget allocation.
Delving into the numbers, Abdul-Kabiru examines the 2024 budget allocations. He notes that the compensation for employees under the National Security Ministry was GHC 1.2 billion, which, with a 10% increase, would be approximately GHC 1.3 billion. The compensation for the then Ministry of Information was GHC 148 million, increasing to about GHC 163 million with a 10% raise. Adding these figures, the budget for these two ministries would be around GHC 1.46 billion, leaving a gap of about GHC 1.2 billion that still needs justification. Where is the extra GHC 1.2 billion going? – he questioned.
Further, he subtracts the GHC 327 million budgeted for OGM in 2024, resulting in an amount of over GHC 900 million that remains unaccounted for. This figure is nearly three times the budget for OGM under Akufo-Addo. Abdul-Kabiru questions how the current government can claim to have reduced staffing while increasing OGM by about 200%.
He also highlights that in 2024, the NDC and Ghanaians rejected the explanation that the GHC 327 million budget included salaries for staff from various authorities. Now, with these authorities no longer part of OGM and a billion-dollar increase in allocation, Abdul-Kabiru calls the situation “pure extravagance and unconscionable.”
What are your thoughts on MP Abdul-Kabiru’s critique of the OGM budget allocation? How do you think the government can address these concerns and ensure better fiscal management? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
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