‘Ahano is where they eat’ - How Ato Forson was shocked by hidden corruption at finance ministry

The Founding President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has made a startling revelation regarding the entrenched culture of corruption within the Ministry of Finance.

According to the policy analyst, certain public officials view specific sectors and projects not as avenues for national development, but as "feeding grounds" to enrich themselves at the expense of the state.

Speaking during an interview on Star FM on Saturday, April 11, 2026, Cudjoe revealed a private conversation he had with the current Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, shortly after the latter assumed office.

He noted that the Minister was left in a state of absolute shock after being initiated into the "realities" of how some technocrats and politicians operate within the ministry to siphon public funds.

Franklin Cudjoe alleged that just two weeks into his new role, Ato Forson reached out to him to express his dismay over the blatant suggestions made by some individuals within the corridors of power.

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These individuals reportedly pointed out specific areas where money could be made through irregular means, away from the prying eyes of the public and official oversight.

Quoting the Finance Minister's alleged reaction, he said: "Chale, you know, I don’t want to be a bad politician. I don’t want anybody to soil my name. But Chale, as soon as I got here, some people came to see me and said, 'Chale, ahano, this is where they eat from. This is where...'"

The IMANI boss further explained that these "leaks" are often cleverly hidden within the system, making them nearly impossible to track through traditional financial reporting.

He stated that the Minister lamented the existence of these "hidden pots" which are never reflected in the Consolidated Fund, despite being fueled by taxpayer money.

"Ah, so this is where they perpetuate all these things that we hear of, but we’ll never trace it to the Consolidated Fund, because you never really see it," Cudjoe quoted the Minister as saying.

He emphasized that this "milking of the system" is a coordinated effort by what he described as "clever thieves" and "clever fools" who understand how to manipulate the bureaucracy.

The IMANI President clarified that his comments were not an indictment of the Finance Ministry as an institution, but rather a critique of the opportunistic individuals who seek to "play ball" for personal gain.

He warned that if such practices are not rooted out, the country’s fiscal repair efforts will continue to be undermined by those he called "clever hang-ons."

According to Cudjoe, the Minister of Finance described himself as being "mortified" by the discovery.

The revelation has sparked fresh concerns about the effectiveness of Ghana’s internal audit systems and the level of accountability expected from high-ranking technocrats who manage the nation's purse.

SO/EB

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