Story By: Juliet Akosua Danquah
The government plans to establish a Value for Money Office (VfMO) to strengthen financial discipline and ensure accountability in public spending, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced while presenting the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on Thursday, November 13.
The VfMO will be an independent body with the power to review and sanction public spending, aiming to prevent waste and ensure value-driven investments. Its key objectives include verifying project viability, ensuring fair pricing, and demanding measurable results from government agencies.
The office will operate through three defense lines: pre-award reviews, post-award monitoring, and post-completion evaluations. A Value for Money Certificate will be required for contract awards and payments. The government also plans to introduce a transparency portal to publish project data and citizen feedback.
The VfMO is expected to reduce contract inflation and waste by 10-15% within five years, saving Ghana approximately GH¢3 billion annually. The initiative aims to restore investor and citizen confidence in public spending.
“This is more than a new office; it is a new standard,” Dr. Forson said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to prudence and accountability.
