'Ato Forson is spending prudently, not recklessly' — Titus Beyuo

Member of Parliament for Lambussie, Professor Titus Beyuo, has defended Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson against claims that he is withholding public expenditure.

The Finance Minister has been accused by the Minority in Parliament over what they describe as failure to release money for government projects.

Contributing to the debate on the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on Tuesday, July 28, Prof. Beyuo said the government's spending priorities have focused on critical sectors such as healthcare and education, with tangible benefits for Ghanaians.

He argued that recent disbursements to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (Mahama Care) and nursing trainee allowances demonstrate that the Finance Minister is releasing funds where they are most needed.

"If spending is spending recklessly, then the Finance Minister is indeed not spending. But if it is spending prudently, then he is spending. Mr. Speaker, the Finance Minister is spending prudently, and I can attest to that fact," he noted.

The Lambussie MP cited the payment of GH¢144 million in nursing trainee allowances, GH¢1.1 billion to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and GH¢4.5 billion to the National Health Insurance Authority as evidence of the government's commitment to supporting essential public services.

According to him, patients who have benefited from specialised medical procedures under Mahama Care and NHIS subscribers receiving healthcare services can attest to the impact of the government's expenditure.

"If your relation is one of the patients who recently got treatment at the Korle Bu cardiac catheterization lab... then you will know that the Finance Minister is spending and spending prudently. If you are a beneficiary of the National Health Insurance Scheme and your insurance card is working... then you will know that he's spending and he's spending prudently," said the NDC MP.

Prof. Beyuo further argued that criticisms of the Finance Minister's spending should be assessed against the government's investments in priority sectors rather than the volume of expenditure alone, arguing that prudent financial management is delivering visible results for citizens.