By Valentia Tetteh
Ghana’s Parliament has passed the Value for Money Office Bill, 2026, paving the way for the establishment of a new independent body to enhance efficiency, transparency and accountability in public spending and procurement.
The bill, which was presented in February by the Minister for Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, aims to address longstanding challenges in Ghana’s public financial management system.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Dr Forson described the legislation as a decisive intervention to tackle persistent issues such as inflated contract sums, abandoned projects, cost overruns and wasteful public spending.
“This Bill institutionalises a comprehensive value-for-money framework to ensure that every cedi spent by the government delivers maximum benefit to citizens in terms of economy, efficiency, effectiveness, equity and sustainability,” he stated.
Independent oversight body
Under the new law, the Value for Money Office will operate as an independent oversight institution with a clearly defined technical mandate.
Its core responsibilities will include conducting value-for-money assessments, issuing mandatory Value for Money Certificates before major contracts are awarded, monitoring compliance across public institutions and enforcing sanctions where breaches occur.
Promoting accountability
The Finance Minister emphasised that the establishment of the office will strengthen prudent public financial management and ensure that government projects are executed efficiently and deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
The passage of the bill is expected to reinforce oversight in public procurement processes and improve value delivery in government spending.
