GH¢2.7bn presidency budget covers salaries of state workers, not presidential expenses—Gov’t explains

The government has clarified that GH¢2.7 billion allocated to the Office of the President in the 2025 Budget is for the salaries of public sector workers whose agencies now fall under the presidency for administrative purposes.

In a Facebook video broadcast on Thursday, March 14, 2025, Minister for Government Communications, Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, addressed concerns about the allocation, explaining that it includes funding for workers from ministries and state agencies that have been reassigned following the restructuring of some government ministries.

“This is not money for the president’s personal use. It includes salaries for civil servants whose agencies were reassigned after some ministries were scrapped,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu said.

Why some salaries are now under the presidency’s budget

The 2025 Budget, presented by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson on March 11, 2025, indicates that some agencies previously under other ministries are now classified under the Office of Government Machinery (OGM) for administrative purposes.

According to the budget, the allocation includes salaries for workers from agencies such as:
 • Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) – 1,115 employees
 • Information Services Department (ISD) – 1,309 employees
 • Ghana News Agency (GNA) – 133 employees
 • National Security Council and intelligence agencies, including the BNI (now National Intelligence Bureau), National Signals Bureau, and the Research Department

Mr Kwakye Ofosu stated that no new civil servants have been recruited and that these salaries have always been part of government expenditure. The difference, he explained, is that their budget allocations now fall under the presidency following the reduction in the number of ministries.

GH¢78 million for state media operations, not propaganda

Addressing concerns about GH¢78 million allocated under the presidency, Mr Kwakye Ofosu said the amount is for the operational budgets of state-owned media and public information agencies, including GBC, ISD, and GNA, which are now classified under the presidency’s budget.

“These institutions provide public service information, and their operations are funded by the state. This is not a separate allocation for political activities,” he said.

Changes in discretionary spending at the presidency

The budget also indicates that discretionary spending at the presidency has been reduced compared to 2024.

The allocation for goods, services, and capital projects under the presidency has decreased by GH¢345 million.
 • Goods and services budget: Reduced by GH¢76 million
 • Capital expenditure budget: Cut by GH¢269 million

Watch the video of the minister: