The Minority in Parliament has firmly rejected the Value for Money Office Bill 2026, describing it as unnecessary and likely to create more bureaucratic layers instead of improving efficiency in public spending.
Contributing to the debate on the bill on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin argued that the proposed office would duplicate the existing functions of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) and could potentially expose the state to greater vulnerability rather than reduce corruption.
“The Minority will not support this bill. If the majority will not listen to these strong views and take them on board, and rather pursue amendments of existing laws in a rushed manner, we, the few of us, will wash our hands, and we will not be part of this unholy act that will instead expose the state and make it vulnerable. Carry your burden alone,” he stated.
The Minority maintains that strengthening the existing institutions and laws would be more effective than creating an entirely new body.
In response, Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, defended the bill, explaining that the Value for Money Office would be staffed with technical experts such as engineers and quantity surveyors. He said the office would establish benchmark values for all major public projects across the country to ensure better cost control and efficiency.
“This Value for Money Office will be equipped with engineers, quantity surveyors, and all the technical personnel necessary to do this job. The office will be required to establish benchmark values for all major projects that we have in this country,” he assured.
The bill seeks to create an independent body to regulate and promote value-for-money assessments in public expenditure and procurement processes.
The sharp disagreement between the Minority and the Majority highlights deep divisions over how best to tackle inefficiencies and corruption in public procurement. The debate is expected to continue as the bill progresses through Parliament.
Further updates will be provided as deliberations on the Value for Money Office Bill 2026 unfold.
