Public money must be backed by facts – Dr Ato Forson tells government officials

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has stated that government decisions on how public funds are spent must be based on reliable data rather than personal opinions or guesswork.

According to him, Ghanaians deserve access to the same information government officials use to make decisions, as this would promote transparency and enable citizens to hold leaders accountable.

Dr Forson made the remarks in his foreword to the Ghana in Numbers 2025 report published by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

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“Public money and public power must be matched by public facts. When citizens can see the very same figures their leaders use, trust grows and government can be held to account,” he stated.

He explained that accurate statistics are important in helping the government understand the country’s challenges and make informed decisions on economic development and public spending.

According to him, every sound decision begins with an understanding of the country’s true state, adding that reliable figures help individuals, businesses and policymakers make informed choices.

“When we know the facts, we choose better, for our families, for our businesses, and for the whole nation,” he said.

Dr Forson disclosed that the government had made the Ghana in Numbers report a key part of its plans to improve public access to national statistics.

He recalled announcing in the 2026 Budget that the GSS would introduce an annual publication to present important information about Ghana’s economy and development in a simple and accessible format.

He confirmed that the report would now be published annually to give Ghanaians regular access to reliable information about the country.

The Finance Minister also said the publication forms part of broader efforts to improve the quality of Ghana’s economic data, including plans to update the methods used to calculate Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and inflation figures.

He maintained that these improvements would help the government make better economic decisions based on accurate and up-to-date information.

“Good policy is not built on opinion or guesswork. It is built on evidence,” he stressed.

He also encouraged students, teachers, traders, farmers, public officials and other Ghanaians to read the publication and use the information in their daily activities and decision-making.

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“Our national story is written in these numbers. Let us read it honestly and together write its next chapter,” he added.

DR/MA

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