Accra, Ghana – June 2026 – Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has defended the government’s Presidential Staffers budget, stating that a significant portion of the expenditure is linked to salary increases approved by the previous administration before it left office.

According to Mr. Kwakye Ofosu, the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo increased the salaries of Presidential Staffers by more than 300 percent in January 2025, a decision that continues to impact the government’s wage bill and overall budget allocations.

Speaking on the matter, the Minister rejected claims that the current administration under President John Dramani Mahama was responsible for the sharp increase in the Presidential Staffers budget.

“It was not President Mahama who increased those salaries. The salary adjustments were implemented under the previous administration before leaving office, and the financial implications are reflected in the current budget,” Mr. Kwakye Ofosu explained.

The size of the Presidential Staffers budget has recently become a major topic of public and political discussion, with critics questioning the level of expenditure allocated to the Office of Government Machinery.

However, government officials argue that the figures must be viewed within the context of salary structures and financial commitments inherited from the previous administration.

Mr. Kwakye Ofosu maintained that the Mahama administration remains committed to transparency, accountability, and prudent financial management while addressing inherited fiscal obligations.

The Minister emphasized that the government’s primary focus remains economic recovery, job creation, and improving living conditions for Ghanaians.

He noted that the administration is implementing policies aimed at stabilizing the economy, attracting investment, creating employment opportunities, and promoting sustainable development across the country.

The comments come amid ongoing discussions about public sector expenditure, government spending priorities, and efforts to ensure fiscal discipline.

The statement is expected to generate further political debate between the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), as both parties continue to defend their respective records on public sector management and government expenditure.

Political analysts believe the discussion highlights broader concerns about public accountability, government payroll costs, and the long-term financial impact of decisions taken by successive administrations.