Mr Geoffrey Kabutey Ocansey, Executive Director of Revenue Mobilisation Africa and a seasoned tax expert, has challenged the Ghanaian government’s rationale behind the newly passed Value for Money Office Bill 2026.
While Parliament recently approved the legislation to establish an independent body tasked with scrutinising public spending and procurement, Mr Ocansey argues that the office is a redundant addition to an already crowded regulatory landscape.
The Bill, introduced in February 2026 by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, was designed to bolster efficiency, transparency, and accountability in government expenditure.
However, Mr Ocansey views the move as the creation of yet another unnecessary bureaucratic layer.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem via Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he highlighted the significant overlap between the proposed office and existing agencies such as the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), and the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).
Given these existing frameworks, the tax expert is demanding a transparent explanation from authorities regarding the necessity of this new institution.
He questions why resources are being funnelled into a new entity when multiple established bodies are already mandated to perform identical or similar oversight functions.
“We already have institutions that are dealing with these issues. We have the Procurement Bill and the Procurement Authority. We have established protocols which provide guidelines for executing contracts. When institutions misconduct themselves, we have internal audit mechanisms that investigate cases, and, additionally, we have external auditors, including the Auditor General, that conduct audits.
The Public Accounts Committee also has a role it plays in dealing with cases of misappropriation, embezzlement, and other cases. Beyond these institutions, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), EOCO, and the Office of the Special Prosecutor also have roles to play; so, what really will this bill be doing?”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
