GHS67bn debt owed contractors: No payment until verification of work done – Finance Minister declares

Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has vowed not to pay debts and arrears owed contractors and suppliers by the previous NPP administration until verification of work done is completed.

The finance minister during the presentation of the 2025 Budget on Tuesday, March 11 disclosed that government currently owes contractors and suppliers an amount of GHS 67.5 billion which he said was inherited from the previous NPP administration.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with TV3 aired on March 14, the Minister noted that the previous administration attempted to conceal the debts owed the contractors and suppliers.

“They were hiding it because they were hiding, they are surprised that it came out and that is why they are worried. But the fact remains that these are arrears, bills and obligations of the state that we need to pay.

“What we need to verify is that whether these certificates that have become an obligation of state are legitimate. Have they actually done the work? The certificates are sitting here at the Ministry of Finance and that is why contractors keep coming here asking for their payment.
“They are demanding their money and I have said that until the verification is done, I am not making any payment,” he stated.

Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has vowed not to pay debts and arrears owed contractors and suppliers by the previous NPP administration until verification of work done is completed.

The finance minister during the presentation of the 2025 Budget on Tuesday, March 11 disclosed that government currently owes contractors and suppliers an amount of GHS 67.5 billion which he said was inherited from the previous NPP administration.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with TV3 aired on March 14, the Minister noted that the previous administration attempted to conceal the debts owed the contractors and suppliers.

“They were hiding it because they were hiding, they are surprised that it came out and that is why they are worried. But the fact remains that these are arrears, bills and obligations of the state that we need to pay.




“What we need to verify is that whether these certificates that have become an obligation of state are legitimate. Have they actually done the work? The certificates are sitting here at the Ministry of Finance and that is why contractors keep coming here asking for their payment.

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“They are demanding their money and I have said that until the verification is done, I am not making any payment,” he stated.




The Minister further disclosed that these contractors who entered into agreements with government under the NPP administration did not have commencement certificates and authorization to work.

According to the Minister, the GHS67 billion arrears comprises of GHC 49 billion worth of claims being suppliers and IPCs from contractors and an additional GHC 18 billion which has been processed with the Controller and Accountant General awaiting payment.




“So, as I sit here, we are sitting on GHC 49 billion worth of claims being suppliers and that of IPCs from contractors. These came from the sector ministries of which NPP ministers were there, their own chief directors had them sent to the Ministry for payment.

“Aside the GHC 49 billion, there’s another GHC 18 billion sitting with the Controller and Accountant General and that was signed by the Minister of Finance processing for payment,” he noted.

The Minister said the Roads Ministry alone awarded contracts to the tune of GHC103 billion.

Source:3news.com