No Commencement Certificate, No Procurement

In a groundbreaking move to instill financial accountability and clamp down on reckless spending, all Government departments have been warned that they must not sign any contracts without the go-ahead from the Finance Ministry.
Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson issued this stern directive, effective from April 3, making it crystal clear that no Ministries, Departments, or Agencies (MDAs) can go ahead with any procurement without proper authorization.
Addressing top officials at a meeting, Dr Forson emphasized that this is a new era of compliance and responsibility, stating, “This is not business as usual. We are taking decisive steps to enforce fiscal discipline, ensure accountability, and put an end to financial recklessness in public administration.”
The Minister stressed that this directive is fully in line with the recently revised Public Financial Management Act of 2025, which aims to prevent a situation where MDAs accumulate massive debts through unchecked spending.
Dr Forson highlighted specific institutions such as the Ghana Cocoa Board, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the Bank of Ghana (BoG), and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources as being burdened by unsustainable debts, urging officials to adhere to the new regulations without fail.
He made it clear that any breach of this directive will not be taken lightly, stating, “No commencement certificate, no procurement. This is not just bureaucracy—it is a legal necessity. Any official found flouting this rule will face the consequences, as the Ministry will no longer tolerate financial misconduct on its own.”
Moreover, Dr Forson warned that principal spending officers who fail to comply will personally be held accountable for their actions, emphasizing the importance of integrity and national duty in handling public resources.
The Minister concluded by urging all public servants to demonstrate transparency, responsibility, and discipline in managing the national budget, as restoring trust in public service begins with a commitment to following these new guidelines.