National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abanga Yakubu Alhassan, has mounted a strong defence of government’s expenditure control measures, insisting that responsible financial management must not be misconstrued as a failure to spend.

According to him, there is nothing wrong with requiring Ministries, Departments and Agencies to justify their expenditure and obtain the necessary release of funds before spending taxpayers’ money.

In a statement, Mr. Alhassan said the commitment authorization regime being enforced by the Ministry of Finance is the hallmark of fiscal discipline, accountability and prudent financial governance.

“There is nothing wrong with requiring ministries to justify their expenditure and obtain the necessary release of funds before spending taxpayers’ money. That is precisely what fiscal discipline, accountability, and prudent financial management demand,” he stressed.

He explained that the mechanism strengthens expenditure controls and ensures the judicious use of scarce public resources, adding that every cedi spent must be accounted for and must deliver real value to Ghanaians.

“Commitment authorization strengthens expenditure controls and promotes the judicious use of public resources. Every cedi must be properly accounted for and deliver real value to Ghanaians,” he noted.

Mr. Alhassan said President John Dramani Mahama promised Ghanaians efficient and responsible use of public funds, and Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson is working tirelessly to translate that vision into reality through stronger controls and strict fiscal discipline.

“President John Mahama promised to ensure the efficient use of public funds, and Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson is actively advancing that vision through stronger expenditure controls and strict fiscal discipline,” he said.

He therefore called on Ghanaians to rally behind the Finance Minister and his office to implement policies that will safeguard the public purse and improve the welfare of citizens.

“Let us support him and his office to implement policies that will improve the welfare of Ghanaians! Responsible financial management is not a failure to spend; it is a commitment to spend wisely,” he added.