By Enock Akonnor (Managing Editor) enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
The national conversation around the 2026 Budget intensified yesterday as Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye, MP for Bantama, delivered a pointed assessment of government’s proposals, warning that several provisions threaten accountability, decentralisation, and value for money.
Speaking in his capacity as Ranking Member on the Local Government & Rural Development Committee and a member of the Roads & Transport Committee, Asenso-Boakye said the Budget raises “serious red flags” that Parliament must not overlook.
Decentralisation at Risk, MP Warns
Asenso-Boakye took aim at what he described as an unconstitutional approach to the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF).
By prescribing how Assemblies should spend their allocations without following the constitutionally required procedure, he argued, government is overstepping its mandate.
He cautioned that such actions weaken the decentralisation agenda and hinder local authorities from determining and executing their own development priorities.
Roads Narrative ‘Incomplete’ Without Key Projects
In the roads sector, the MP accused the government of presenting an incomplete picture. He argued that the Budget’s narrative downplays major road investments made under the Akufo-Addo administration, while elevating a selective list of ongoing projects under the “Big Push” initiative.
He said the omission of certain large-scale projects creates a distorted benchmark for assessing progress.
Concern Over Lack of Preparation for New Projects
On new road initiatives, Asenso-Boakye raised alarms over what he described as a troubling pattern: announcing new projects without the foundational work such as feasibility studies and detailed costing that ensures quality delivery.
He cautioned that announcing projects “for the sake of optics” is a costly mistake that could lead to stalled works and abandoned sites across the country.
Procurement Standards Under Threat
Highlighting a request for 63 road projects to be awarded through single-source procurement, the MP questioned the consistency and transparency of the decision.
He noted that the same Roads Minister once fiercely criticised single-source awards while in opposition, calling the current proposal a direct contradiction of previously stated principles.
Debate Continues Over the Accra–Kumasi Expressway
The Bantama legislator also revisited the contentious issue of the Accra–Kumasi Expressway. While acknowledging the national importance of the project, he questioned the rationale behind shelving an ongoing road project that already meets the same objective and is 64% complete.
Abandoning such progress, he argued, only to embark on a costlier alternative raises concerns about value for money and long-term fiscal responsibility.
Minority Vows to Hold Government to Higher Standards
Concluding his remarks, Asenso-Boakye reiterated the Minority’s commitment to rigorous oversight.
“Our duty is not to rubber-stamp; our duty is to protect the national interest,” he stressed, vowing that the Minority will continue to defend constitutionalism and ensure Ghanaian taxpayers get full value for every cedi spent.
The 2026 Budget continues to attract scrutiny as stakeholders brace for further debate in Parliament.
Source; www.leakyGhana.com
Enock Akonnor is an experienced Ghanaian journalist, based in Kumasi and currently serves as the CEO and Managing Editor of www.leakyghana.com.
With a wealth of expertise built over many years in the media industry, he has earned a solid reputation as one of Ghana’s most sought-after journalists.
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